Chapter 3

Measures of Dispersion
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Outline:
• Introduction.
1 Measures of Dispersion.
• Range

• Variance

• Standard Deviation

1 Coefficients for Comparison of Dispersion of Two or More Data Sets.

• Coefficient of Variation
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Introduction
EXAMPLE 3–15 Comparison of Outdoor Paint
A testing lab wishes to test two experimental brands of outdoor paint to
see how long each will last before fading. The testing lab makes 6 gallons
of each paint to test. Since different chemical agents are added to each
group and only six cans are involved, these two groups constitute two
small populations. The results (in months) are shown. Find the mean of
each group :

Solution :

Note: the means for both brands are the same, but individual values are different.
Therefore, it is difficult to compare these brands by just looking to their means.
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Introduction
• There are many reasons why the measure of the spread of data values is important, but one
of the main reasons regards its relationship with measures of central tendency.
• A measure of spread gives us an idea of how well the mean, for example, represents the data.
• If the spread of values in the data set is large, the mean is not as representative of the data
as if the spread of data is small. This is because a large spread indicates that there are
probably large differences between individual scores.
• Additionally, in research, it is often seen as positive if there is little variation in each data
group as it indicates that the similar.

A small spread indicates that the values

tend to be close to the mean, while a
large spread indicates that the values
are spread out over a wider range.

A measure along the horizontal axis of the data distribution that describes the spread of the
distribution from the center.
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Range
• range: is the highest value minus the lowest value. The symbol R is
used for the range :
𝑹 = 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 − 𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆

EXAMPLE 3–16 Comparison of Outdoor Paint Find the

ranges for the paints in Example 3–15.
Solution :
For brand 𝑨 , the range is 𝑹 = 𝟔𝟎 − 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟓𝟎 months
For brand 𝑩 , the range is 𝑹 = 𝟒𝟓 − 𝟐𝟓 = 𝟐𝟎 months
• Make sure the range is given as a single number.
• The range for brand 𝑨 shows that 𝟓𝟎 months separate the largest
data value from the smallest data value.
• For brand 𝑩 , 𝟐𝟎 months separate the largest data value from
the smallest data value, which is less than one-half of brand A’s
range.

Note: Range does not show how the data spread around the mean because it depends
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Range
EXAMPLE 3–17 Top-Grossing Movies

The data show a sample of the top-grossing movies in millions of

dollars for a recent year:

Find the range?

Solution :
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Variance & Standard Deviation (Population)

• The variance is a measure of how data points differ from the mean.
• According to Layman, a variance is a measure of how far a set of data (numbers) are
spread out from their mean (average) value.

Example: supposed we have the heights of flower petals

5 , 12 , 6 , 8 , 14
and we want to see how their heights are differ from the mean (finding the deviation)?

Solution :
∑𝑋 5+12+6+8+14 45
First, we have to find the mean: 𝑋= = = =9
𝑛 5 5

Then, we can calculate the deviation using: 𝑑 =𝑥−𝑥

𝑑1 = 5 − 9 = −4
𝑑2 = 12 − 9 = 3

𝑑3 = 6 − 9 = −3
𝑑4 = 8 − 9 = −1

𝑑5 = 14 − 9 = 5
Note: ∑ 𝑑𝑖 = −4 + 3 − 3 − 1 + 5 = 0
Then: the variance is the average of the squares of the deviations (the distances of the values
from the mean).
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Variance & Standard Deviation (Population)

• population variance : is the average of the squares of the distance each value is
from the mean. The symbol for the population variance is 𝝈𝟐 (𝝈 is the Greek
lowercase letter sigma), The formula for the population variance is :

where 𝑿 = individual value

𝝁 = population mean
𝑵 = population size

• population standard deviation : is the square root of the variance. The symbol for
the population standard deviation is 𝝈. The corresponding formula for the population
standard deviation is :
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Variance & Standard Deviation (Population)

It is helpful to make
these steps in a table
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Variance & Standard Deviation (Population)

EXAMPLE 3–18 Comparison of Outdoor Paint
Find the variance and standard deviation for the data set for brand A paint in
Example 3–15. The number of months brand A lasted before fading was :
𝟐𝟎 𝟒𝟎 𝟑𝟎 𝟓𝟎 𝟔𝟎 𝟏𝟎
Solution :
Find the mean for the data :

It is helpful to make a table:

∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 1750

The variance is: 𝜎 2 = = = 291.67
𝑁 6

The standard deviation is: 𝜎 = 𝜎 2 = 291.67 = 17.1

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Variance & Standard Deviation (Population)

EXAMPLE 3–19 Comparison of Outdoor Paint
Find the variance and standard deviation for the data set for brand B paint in
Example 3–15. The number of months brand B lasted before fading was :

Solution :
Find the mean for the data :

It is helpful to make a table:

∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 250

The variance is: 𝜎 2 = = = 41.67
𝑁 6

The standard deviation is: 𝜎 = 𝜎 2 = 41.67 = 6.5

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Variance & Standard Deviation (Sample)

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Variance & Standard Deviation (Sample)

EXAMPLE 3–20 Teacher Strikes
The number of public school teacher strikes in Pennsylvania for a random
sample of school years is shown. Find the sample variance and the sample
standard deviation:

Solution :
Find the mean for the data :

X
It is helpful to make a table: 𝑿−𝑿 (𝑿 − 𝑿)𝟐
9 0.5 0.25
10 1.5 2.25
14 5.5 30.25
7 -1.5 2.25
8 -0.5 0.25
3 -5.5 30.25

∑(𝑥 − 𝑥)2 65.5 65.5

The variance is: 𝑆 2 = = = = 13.1
𝑛−1 6−1 5

The standard deviation is: 𝑆 = 𝑆 2 = 13.1 = 3.62

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Variance & Standard Deviation (Sample)

EXAMPLE 3–20 Teacher Strikes

Use the previous Example 3-20:

Solution :
X 𝑿𝟐
It is helpful to make a table: 9 81
10 100
14 196
7 49
8 64
3 9
∑ 𝑋= 51 ∑ 𝑋2 = 499

𝑛(∑ 𝑋 2 ) − (∑ 𝑋)2 6 449 − (51)2 2994 − 2601 393

The variance is: 𝑆 2 = = = = = 13.1
𝑛(𝑛 − 1) 6(6 − 1) 6(5) 30

The standard deviation is: 𝑆 = 𝑆 2 = 13.1 = 3.62 Notice: we got the same result!
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Variance & Standard Deviation (Sample)

For data grouped into
Frequency Table ∑𝑚
𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥
2
𝑆2 =
∑𝑚𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 − 1

𝑆= 𝑆2

where 𝑥𝑖 is the midpoint of each class and 𝑓𝑖 is the frequency of each class.

Make a table as shown below:

Class Frequency 𝒇𝒊 . 𝒙𝒊 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝟐 𝒇𝒊. 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝟐

𝒙𝒊 𝒇𝒊

Use this column to calculate the

sample mean:
𝒎
∑𝒊=𝟏 𝒇𝒊 . 𝒙𝒊
𝒙= 𝒎
∑𝒊=𝟏 𝒇𝒊
Then, continue the table.
∑𝑚
𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥
2
Substitute in the formula and solve to get the variance 𝑆2 =
∑𝑚𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 − 1

Take the square root to get the standard deviation. 𝑆 = 𝑆2

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Variance & Standard Deviation (Sample)

EXAMPLE
Find the sample variance and the sample standard deviation for the frequency table
of the data shown. The data represent the number of patients’ visits to some clinics,
and the cost for each visit:

Clinic Cost # of visits

Ear , Nose & Throat ( E N T)

Dentistry
Urology
Orthopedic
Surgery
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Variance & Standard Deviation (Sample)

Solution:
Class Frequency 𝒇𝒊 . 𝒙𝒊 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝟐 𝒇𝒊. 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝟐

𝒙𝒊 𝒇𝒊
55 16 880

45 35 1575

85 20 1700

65 14 910

75 15 1125

Total 100 6190

Now, we have to find the sample mean:

∑𝒌𝒊=𝟏 𝒇𝒊 . 𝒙𝒊 𝟔𝟏𝟗𝟎
𝒙= = = 𝟔𝟏. 𝟗
∑𝒌𝒊=𝟏 𝒇𝒊 𝟏𝟎𝟎
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Variance & Standard Deviation (Sample)

Continue the Solution: 𝒙 = 𝟔𝟏. 𝟗
Class Frequency 𝒇𝒊 . 𝒙𝒊 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝟐 𝒇𝒊. 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝟐

𝒙𝒊 𝒇𝒊
55 16 880 -6.9 47.61 761.76

45 35 1575 -16.9 285.61 9996.35

85 20 1700 23.1 533.61 10672.2

65 14 910 3.1 9.61 134.54

75 15 1125 13.1 171.61 2574.15

Total 100 6190 24139

∑𝑚
𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥
2 24139 24139
Substitute in the formula and solve to get the variance 𝑆2 = 𝑚
= = = 243.828
∑𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 − 1 100 − 1 99

Take the square root to get the standard deviation. 𝑆= 𝑆2 = 243.828 = 15.615
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Variance & Standard Deviation (Sample)

For data grouped into
Frequency Distribution Table ∑𝑘𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥 2
𝑆2 =
∑𝑘𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 − 1

𝑆= 𝑆2

where 𝑥𝑖 is the midpoint of each class and 𝑓𝑖 is the frequency of each class.

Make a table as shown, and find the midpoint of each class:

Class Frequency Midpoint 𝒇𝒊 . 𝒙𝒊 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝟐 𝒇𝒊. (𝒙𝒊
𝒇𝒊 𝒙𝒊

Use this column to calculate the

sample mean:
𝒌
∑𝒊=𝟏 𝒇𝒊 . 𝒙𝒊
𝒙= 𝒌
∑𝒊=𝟏 𝒇𝒊
Then, continue the table.
∑𝑘𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥 2
Substitute in the formula and solve to get the variance 𝑆2 =
∑𝑘𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 − 1

Take the square root to get the standard deviation. 𝑆 = 𝑆2

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Variance & Standard Deviation (Sample)

EXAMPLE 3–22 Miles Run per Week

Find the sample variance and the sample standard deviation for the frequency
distribution of the data shown. The data represent the number of miles that 𝟐𝟎 runners
ran during one week:
Class Frequency
𝒇𝒊

5.5 – 10.5 1

10.5 – 15.5 2

15.5 – 20.5 3

20.5 – 25.5 5

25.5 – 30.5 4

30.5 – 35.5 3

35.5 – 40.5 2
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Variance & Standard Deviation (Sample)

Solution :
Frequency Midpoint 𝒇𝒊 . 𝒙𝒊 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝟐 𝒇𝒊. 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝟐
Class
𝒇𝒊 𝒙𝒊
5.5 – 10.5 1 8 8

10.5 – 15.5 2 13 26

15.5 – 20.5 3 18 54

20.5 – 25.5 5 23 115

25.5 – 30.5 4 28 112

30.5 – 35.5 3 33 99

35.5 – 40.5 2 38 76

Total 20 490

Now, we have to find the sample mean:

∑𝒌𝒊=𝟏 𝒇𝒊 . 𝒙𝒊 𝟒𝟗𝟎
𝒙= = = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟓
∑𝒌𝒊=𝟏 𝒇𝒊 𝟐𝟎
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Variance & Standard Deviation (Sample)

Continue the Solution: 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟓
Frequency Midpoint 𝒇𝒊 . 𝒙𝒊 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝟐 𝒇𝒊. 𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙 𝟐
Class
𝒇𝒊 𝒙𝒊
5.5 – 10.5 1 8 8 -16.5 272.25 272.25

10.5 – 15.5 2 13 26 -11.5 132.25 264.5

15.5 – 20.5 3 18 54 -6.5 42.25 126.75

20.5 – 25.5 5 23 115 -1.5 2.25 11.25

25.5 – 30.5 4 28 112 3.5 12.25 49

30.5 – 35.5 3 33 99 8.5 72.25 216.75

35.5 – 40.5 2 38 76 13.5 182.25 364.5

Total 20 490 1305

∑𝑘𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥 2 1305 1305

Substitute in the formula and solve to get the variance 𝑆2 = 𝑘
= = = 68.7
∑𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 − 1 20 − 1 19

Take the square root to get the standard deviation. 𝑆= 𝑆2 = 68.7 = 8.3
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Variance & Standard Deviation

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Variance & Standard Deviation

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Coefficient of Variation
• coefficient of variation: denoted by CV, is the standard deviation divided by the mean.
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Coefficient of Variation
EXAMPLE 3–23 Sales of Automobiles
• The mean of the number of sales of cars over a 3-month period is 𝟖𝟕, and the
standard deviation is 𝟓.
• The mean of the commissions is $𝟓𝟐𝟐𝟓, and the standard deviation is $𝟕𝟕𝟑.
Compare the variations of the sales and commissions?

Solution :
The coefficients of variation are
5
𝑪𝑽 = 𝑆 . 100% = . 100 = 5.7% Sales
𝑥 87
773
𝑪𝑽 = 𝑆 . 100% = . 100 = 14.8% Commissions
𝑥 5225

Since the coefficient of variation is larger for commissions,

→ the commissions are more variable than the sales.
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Coefficient of Variation
EXAMPLE
Suppose we have information about the weight and height for group of people as
shown in the table:

Weight (kg) Height (inch)

Mean ( 𝑥 ) 27 40
Standard Deviation ( 𝑆 ) 9 10

Compare the variations of the weight and height?

Solution :
The coefficients of variation are
9
𝑪𝑽 = 𝑆 . 100% = . 100 = 33.33% weight
𝑥 27

𝑪𝑽 = 𝑆 . 100% = 10 . 100 = 25% height

𝑥 40

Since the coefficient of variation is larger for weight,

→ the weight are more variable than the height.