How to Find The Sample Variance and Standard Deviation

Find the standard deviation and the variance of a sample.

Variance and standard deviation are statistical tests that can be performed to explain the data found in a certain sample. A sample is a set of numerical data. It usually includes results from a survey or experiment. Variance of the sample measures how far the results are from the expected results. Standard deviation expresses how close the results are to each other. Together, these tests give information about the range of the results.

Instructions

1. Find the mean of the sample. The mean is the average of all of the results in a sample.

2. Subtract the mean from the first value in the sample. Square this value.

3. Repeat Step 2 for each number in the sample.

4. Add each of the values found in Steps 2 and 3 together.

5. Find the total number of results in the sample, minus one.

6. Divide the value found in Step 4 by the value found in Step 5. This is the sample's variance.

7. Find standard deviation by taking the square root of the value found in Step 6.

References

• Hyperstat Online: Standard Deviation and Variance
• Wolfram Math World: Sample Variance

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish