Divide by the number of scores (minus one if it is a sample, not a population): The mean of this value is given by 1464/5 = 292.8. The number in between the brackets is the variance of the data.
σ = √[292.8]
Square root the total: To calculate standard deviation, we take the square root √(292.8) = 17.11.
σ = 17.11
It can easily be seen that the sample standard deviation is larger than the standard deviation for the data.
Interpretation of Data
Calculation of standard deviation is important to correctly interpret the data. For example, in physical sciences, a lower standard deviation for the same measurement implies higher precision for the experiment.
Also, when the mean needs to be interpreted, it is important to quote the standard deviation too. For example, the mean weather over a day in two cities might be 24C. However, if the standard deviation is very large, it may mean extremes of temperature - too hot during the day and too cold during the nights (like a desert). On the other hand, if the standard deviation is small, it means a fairly uniform temperature throughout the day (like a coastal region).
Standard Deviation for Samples
Just like in the case of variance, we define a sample standard deviation when we are dealing with samples rather than populations. This is given by a slightly modified equation:
where the denominator is N-1 instead of N in the previous case. This correction is required to get an unbiased estimator for the standard deviation.
Example of Standard Deviation of Samples
This follows the same calculation as the example above, for standard deviation for population, with one exception: The division should be "N - 1", not "N".
σ = √[ ∑(x-mean)2 / (N - 1) ]
Then it follows the same example as above, except that there is a 4 where there was a 5:
Write the formula.
σ = √[ ∑(x-mean)2 / (N-1) ]
How many numbers are there? There are five numbers.
σ = √[ ∑(x-mean)2 / 4 ]
σ = √[ ∑(x-mean)2 / (5-1) ]
What is the mean? The mean of this data is (96+104+126+134+140)/5 = 120.
σ = √[ ∑(x-120)2 / 4 ]
What are the respective deviations from the mean? The deviation from the mean is given by 96-120 = -24, 104-120 = -16, 126-120 = 6, 134-120 = 14, 140-120 = 20.
Divide by the number of scores minus one (minus one since it is a sample, not a population): The mean of this value is given by 1464/4 = 366. The number in between the brackets is the variance of the data.
σ = √
Square root the total: To calculate standard deviation, we take the square root √(366) = 19.13.