Question

average\av-er-ij, av-rij\\
n

1. the quantity that represents or approximates an arithmetic mean
2. a typical amount

adj

1. typical or ordinary

v

1. to find an average

which definition best matches the way the word average is used in paragraph 4?

a definition 3
b definition 1
c definition 2
d definition 4

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each definition:

• Definition 1: Focuses on the arithmetic mean (a numerical average).
• Definition 2: Refers to a “typical amount” (a general sense of a common quantity).
• Definition 3: Describes “typical or ordinary” (an adjective for something common, not a quantity).
• Definition 4: Is a verb (“to find an average”).

Since the question asks about the use of “average” (likely as a noun or adjective describing a quantity, not a verb or a descriptive adjective), we need to infer the context. However, without the paragraph, we assume the most common non - mathematical “average” usage is “a typical amount” (Definition 2) or the arithmetic mean (Definition 1). But if the context is non - mathematical (e.g., “average person” is Definition 3, but “average amount” is Definition 2). Since the options are given, and if we assume the context is about a quantity (not a verb or descriptive adjective), and if the paragraph uses “average” to mean a common quantity (not the arithmetic mean), then:

To determine the best definition, we analyze each: Definition 1 is about arithmetic mean, Definition 2 is a typical amount, Definition 3 is typical/ordinary (adjective), Definition 4 is the verb “to find an average”. Without the paragraph, we assume the common non - mathematical usage of “average” as a quantity (not a verb or descriptive adjective) points to Definition 2 (a typical amount) or 1 (arithmetic mean). If the context is non - mathematical (e.g., “average amount”), Definition 2 is more likely.

Answer:

C. Definition 2