  We introduce a weighed scalar average formalism ("q-average") for the study
of the theoretical properties and the dynamics of spherically symmetric
Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) dust models models. The "q-scalars" that emerge by
applying the q-averages to the density, Hubble expansion and spatial curvature
(which are common to FLRW models) are directly expressible in terms of
curvature and kinematic invariants and identically satisfy FLRW evolution laws
without the back-reaction terms that characterize Buchert's average. The local
and non-local fluctuations and perturbations with respect to the q-average
convey the effects of inhomogeneity through the ratio of curvature and
kinematic invariants and the magnitude of radial gradients. All curvature and
kinematic proper tensors that characterize the models are expressible as
irreducible algebraic expansions on the metric and 4-velocity, whose
coefficients are the q-scalars and their linear and quadratic local
fluctuations. All invariant contractions of these tensors are quadratic
fluctuations, whose q-averages are directly and exactly related to statistical
correlation moments of the density and Hubble expansion scalar. We explore the
application of this formalism to a definition of a gravitational entropy
functional proposed by Hosoya et al (2004 Phys. Rev. Lett. 92 141302). We show
that a positive entropy production follows from a negative correlation between
fluctuations of the density and Hubble scalar, providing a brief outline on its
fulfillment in various LTB models and regions. While the q-average formalism is
specially suited for LTB and Szekeres models, it may provide a valuable
theoretical insight on the properties of scalar averaging in inhomogeneous
spacetimes in general.
