law of averages
The statistical tendency toward a fixed proportion in the results when an experiment…The statistical tendency toward a fixed proportion in the results when an experiment is repeated a large number of times.
Meaning
3 sensesThe statistical tendency toward a fixed proportion in the results when an experiment is repeated a large number of times.
Near-synonym: law of large numbers (not always differentiated)
(informal)An imaginary or perceived "law" of probabilities which is wrongly used to predict results in the short-term.
This coin has landed on heads ten times, so by the law of averages it must land on tails next time.
A real or purported law from centuries past regarding the distribution of recompense after a loss at sea due to an act of God, said by some (but not others) to explain why the word average evolved a sense having to do with means, medians, modes, etc.
- a law affirming that in the long run probabilities will determine performance
Forms
plural: law of averageses| Singular | law of averages |
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regular
Synonyms
1 synonymsSee also
neighbours in the dictionaryDictionary text adapted from Wiktionary (Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet / Princeton WordNet (CC BY 4.0, WordNet License); shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and recordings are credited where they appear.