Eh, average is an ambiguous term. While in statistics it often means “mean,” it can also mean “median” or “mode,” and I would argue the layperson saying “average” intends it to mean “typical,” which is closer to median (or even mode). And in that case, those 85 percent would not be smarter than average.
“Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.”
“I’m smarter than the average person”
Hey, don’t call me out like that.
If 85 people have an IQ of 100 and 15 have an IQ of 0, then 85% are smarter than the average.
Eh, average is an ambiguous term. While in statistics it often means “mean,” it can also mean “median” or “mode,” and I would argue the layperson saying “average” intends it to mean “typical,” which is closer to median (or even mode). And in that case, those 85 percent would not be smarter than average.