LESSON 3.

MEASURES OF DISPERSION

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:
● define each of the three common measures of dispersion;
● solve for the range, variance, and standard deviation of a given set of data; and
● use Microsoft Excel functions and Google sheets functions in solving the range,
variance, and standard deviation.

The measures of dispersion, also known as measures of variability, indicate the extent to which
individual item in a series are scattered about an average. These are used to determine the extent of
the dispersion so that steps may be taken to control the existing variation. These are also used as a
measure of the reliability of the average value/score. Moreover, they refer to the measure of the
average distance of each observation from the center of the distribution. Thus, they indicate the
homogeneity or heterogeneity of a particular group.

Consider the two pairs of values below:

Pair 1 Set A: 12 14 14 16
Set B: 6 14 14 22
Pair 2 Set A: 20 60 60 100
Set B: 55 60 60 65

The examples above indicate that each pair of values A and B have the same mean, median,
and mode but of different spread of values. This is the case where the measures of dispersion must
be computed. Values in set A in the first pair is less variable than in set B since the numbers 12 and
16 are nearer to 14 as compared to 6 and 22. In the second pair, the values in set B are more
homogenous than those in set A because 55 and 65 are nearer to 60 than the values 20 and 100.
A small measure of dispersion indicates that the data are:
⮚ clustered around the mean;
⮚ more consistent;
⮚ more homogeneous; and
⮚ less variable.

Lesson 3.1 RANGE

Range is a measure of absolute dispersion that is easily affected by extreme scores. It is also
the most unstable and unreliable measure of dispersion. The range shows the difference between
the two extreme scores in a set of data. In fact, there is no need to arrange the scores. Also, it can
be used when the data are interval or ratio.

Calculation of the Range of Ungrouped Data

To calculate for the range of ungrouped data, the formula is:
R=H–L
where:
R = range; H = highest score; L = lowest score

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Example 3.1.1:
Economics: The wages of the six working members of Manuel’s family are P400, P380, P450,
P550, and P450. Find the range of their wages.
Solution:
Based on the problem, the highest wage is 550 and the lowest wage is 380. Using these
known values, we have the following solution:
R=H–L
= 550 – 380
R = P170

∴ The range of the wages is P170.

Example 3.1.2:
Tourism: Find the range of the weights in kilograms of the nine tourists who went to the beach:
43, 30, 65, 46, 45, 15, 25, 14, and 18.
Solution:
Based on the problem, the highest weight is 65 and the lowest weight is 14. Using these
known values, we have the following solution:
R=H–L
= 65 – 14
R = 51 kilograms

∴ The range of the weights is 51 kilograms.

Example 3.1.3:
Education: The oldest student in a certain university is 31. If the range of the age of all students
is 16, how old is the youngest student?
Solution:
From the problem, the given values are the highest age = 31 and the range = 16. Let us now
compute for the value of the lowest item by using the following formula:
L=H–R
= 31 – 16
L = 15 years old

∴ The youngest student is 15 years old.

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 -=TARGET PRACTICE 3.1=-
Solve the following problems taken from different disciplines:
1. Mathematics: Nine integers are written on the blackboard as follows: 14, -12, 7, 0, -5, -8,
17, -11, and 19. What is the range of these integers?

2. Education: The weekly allowances of the six students of ISU are P330, P440, P270, P340,
P540, and P510. What is the range of their allowances?

3. Sports: The organizer of a basketball tournament randomly selected a sample of 10 players.

During the last tournament, the following were the individual scores of players 1-10
respectively: 35, 13, 12, 24, 23, 16, 16, 32, 12, 38, 16, 15, 9, 31, 22, 16, 18, 23, 21, and 28.
Determine the range of their scores.

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 Lesson 3.2 VARIANCE

Variance is a measure of absolute dispersion that describes how data are spread out. It is the
average of the squared differences from the mean. A value of zero means that there is no variability
because all the numbers in the data set are the same. Also, variance can be used when the data are
interval or ratio.

A. Calculation of the Population Variance of Ungrouped Data

The population variance is denoted by 𝜎 2 and can be solved using the formula,
∑𝑁
𝑖=1(𝑥𝑖 −𝜇)
2
𝜎2 = 𝑁
,𝑖 = 1, 2, 3, . . . , 𝑁

or it can be answered using the next formula which is utilized in this lesson,

2
∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2
𝜎 =
𝑁
where: 𝑥 = individual value/score
𝜇 = mean of the population
𝑁 = population size
Steps:
1. Determine the mean of the population.
2. Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by subtracting the mean from each individual value/score.
3. Square the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together to
get ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 .
4. Divide the sum of the squared difference by N.

Example 3.2.1:
Economics: A store in the market consists of only six helpers. The wages of all the helpers per
day in that store are P350, P300, P300, P250, P350, and P250. Calculate the population variance
of their wages.
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the mean of the population.
Wage (P)
350
300
300 ∑ 𝑥 1800
𝜇= = = 300
250 𝑁 6
350
250
∑ 𝑥 = 1800

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Step 2: Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by subtracting the mean from each individual value.
Wage (P) 𝑥−𝜇
350 350 – 300 = 50
300 300 – 300 = 0
300 300 – 300 = 0
250 250 – 300 = -50
350 350 – 300 = 50
250 250 – 300 = -50
∑ 𝑥 = 1800

Step 3: Square the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together
to get ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 .
Wage (P) 𝑥−𝜇 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2
350 350 – 300 = 50 502 = 2500
300 300 – 300 = 0 02 = 0
300 300 – 300 = 0 02 = 0
250 250 – 300 = -50 (-50)2 = 2500
350 350 – 300 = 50 502 = 2500
250 250 – 300 = -50 (-50)2 = 2500
∑ 𝑥 = 1800 ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 = 10000

Step 4: Divide the sum of the squared difference by 𝑁.

∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 17.532 10000
𝜎2 = = = = P1666.67
𝑁 6 6

∴ The population variance of their wages is P1666.67.

Example 3.2.2:
Health: A hospital recorded that only eight babies had been born in the first week of March 2021.
The heights of these babies, in centimeters, are as follows: 48, 47, 50, 53, 50, 52, 51, and 60.
Determine the population variance of the heights of these babies.
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the mean of the population.
Height (in cm)
48
47
50 ∑ 𝑥 411
𝜇= = = 51.38
53 𝑁 8
50
52
51
60
∑ 𝑥 = 411

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 Step 2: Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by subtracting the mean from each individual value.
Height (in cm) 𝑥−𝜇
48 48 – 51.38 = -3.38
47 47 – 51.38 = -4.38
50 50 – 51.38 = -1.38
53 53 – 51.38 = 1.62
50 50 – 51.38 = -1.38
52 52 – 51.38 = 0.62
51 51 – 51.38 = -0.38
60 60 – 51.38 = 8.62
∑ 𝑥 = 411

Step 3: Square the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together
to get ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 .
Height (in cm) 𝑥−𝜇 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2
48 48 – 51.38 = -3.38 (-3.38)2 = 11.42
47 47 – 51.38 = -4.38 (-4.38)2 = 19.18
50 50 – 51.38 = -1.38 (-1.38)2 = 1.90
53 53 – 51.38 = 1.62 1.622 = 2.62
50 50 – 51.38 = -1.38 (-1.38)2 = 1.90
52 52 – 51.38 = 0.62 0.622 = 0.38
51 51 – 51.38 = -0.38 (-0.38)2 = 0.14
60 60 – 51.38 = 8.62 8.622 = 74.30
∑ 𝑥 = 411 ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 = 111.84

Step 4: Divide the sum of the squared difference by 𝑁.

∑(𝑥−𝜇)2 111.84
𝜎2 = = = 13.98 centimeters
𝑁 8

∴ The population variance of the heights of the babies is 13.98 centimeters.

B. Calculation of the Sample Variance of Ungrouped Data

The sample variance is denoted by 𝑠 2 and can be computed using the formula,

2
∑𝑛𝑖=1(𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥̅ )2
𝑠 = ; 𝑖 = 1, 2, . . . , 𝑛
(𝑛 − 1)

or it can be solved using the next formula which is utilized in this lesson,
∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2
𝑠2 =
(𝑛 − 1)
where: 𝑥 = individual value/score
𝑥̅ = sample mean
𝑛 = sample size

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Steps:
1. Determine the mean of the sample.
2. Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by subtracting the sample mean from each individual
value/score.
3. Square the difference (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together to
get ∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 .
4. Divide the sum of the squared difference by (𝑛 − 1).

Example 3.2.3:
Sports: Five selected participants completed a marathon race, and their time were recorded as
follows: 2.8 hours, 8.1 hours, 3.3 hours, 5.4 hours, and 4.6 hours. What is the sample variance
of their time?
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the mean of the sample.
Time (in hours)
2.8
8.1
3.3 ∑ 𝑥 24.2
𝑥̅ = = = 4.84
5.4 𝑛 5
4.6
∑ 𝑥 = 24.2

Step 2: Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by subtracting the mean from each individual value.
Time (in hours) 𝑥 − 𝑥̅
2.8 2.8 – 4.84 = -2.04
8.1 8.1 – 4.84 = 3.26
3.3 3.3 – 4.84 = -1.54
5.4 5.4 – 4.84 = 0.56
4.6 4.6 – 4.84 = -0.24
∑ 𝑥 = 24.2

Step 3: Square the difference (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together
to get ∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 .
Time (in hours) 𝑥 − 𝑥̅ (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2
2.8 2.8 – 4.84 = -2.04 (-2.04)2 = 4.1616
8.1 8.1 – 4.84 = 3.26 (3.26)2 = 10.6276
3.3 3.3 – 4.84 = -1.54 (-1.54)2 = 2.3716
5.4 5.4 – 4.84 = 0.56 (0.56)2 = 0.3136
4.6 4.6 – 4.84 = -0.24 (-0.24)2 = 0.0576
∑ 𝑥 = 24.2 ∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 = 17.532

Step 4: Divide the sum of the squared difference by (𝑛 − 1).

∑(𝑥−𝑥̅ )2 17.532 17.532
𝑠2 = 𝑛−1
= 5−1
= 4
= 4.383 hours

∴ The sample variance of their time is 4.383 hours.

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Example 3.2.4:
Education: On a competency test, the scores of the selected examinees are 89, 83, 85, 81, 86, 87,
and 91. Find the sample variance of the scores.
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the mean of the sample.
Score (𝑥)
89
83
85
81
86 ∑ 𝑥 602
𝑥̅ = = = 86
87 𝑛 7
91
∑ 𝑥 = 602

Step 2: Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by subtracting the mean from each individual value.
Score (𝑥) 𝑥 − 𝑥̅
89 89 – 86 = 3
83 83 – 86 = -3
85 85 – 86 = -1
81 81 – 86 = -5
86 86 – 86 = 0
87 87 – 86 = 1
91 91 – 86 = 5
∑ x = 602

Step 3: Square the difference (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together
to get ∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 .
Score (𝑥) 𝑥 − 𝑥̅ (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2
89 89 – 86 = 3 32 = 9
83 83 – 86 = -3 (-3)2 = 9
85 85 – 86 = -1 (-1)2 = 1
81 81 – 86 = -5 (-5)2 = 25
86 86 – 86 = 0 (0)2 = 0
87 87 – 86 = 1 12 = 1
91 91 – 86 = 5 52 = 25
∑ x = 602 ∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 = 70

Step 4: Divide the sum of the squared difference by (𝑛 − 1).

∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 70 70
𝑠2 = = = = 11.67
𝑛−1 7−1 6

∴ The sample variance of the scores of the examinees is 11.67.

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 -=TARGET PRACTICE 3.2=-
Solve the following problems obtained from different disciplines:
1. Population: A family consists of seven children with the following ages: 24, 22, 16, 11, 9,
8, and 5 years old. Determine the population variance of their ages.

2. Tourism: The Pascual family drove through six tourist spots in their summer vacation.
Gasoline prices vary from place to place. Calculate the population variance of the gasoline
prices in all tourist spots they went: P48.32, P46.50, P50.00, P47.45, P45.00, and P46.20.

3. Business: Ten customers at a coffee shop was observed that the amount of time, in minutes,
that each spent waiting to receive their order are as follows: 3.2, 4.0, 3.5, 4.9, 3.8, 4.5, 2.4,
5.0, 4.7, and 2.8. What is the sample variance of their time?

4. Transportation: Eight residents commuted from a certain town to another town in hours:
4.5, 4.0, 4.6, 4.0, 3.6, 3.4, 5.8, and 3.9. Determine the sample variance of the samples.

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 Lesson 3.3 STANDARD DEVIATION

The standard deviation is the square root of the variance. It is also the measure of deviation
that involves all scores in the distribution rather than through extreme scores. It is considered as
the most reliable measure of dispersion. In addition, standard deviation can be used when the data
are interval or ratio.
A. Calculation of the Population Standard Deviation of Ungrouped Data
The population standard deviation is denoted by 𝜎 and can be solved using the formula,
∑𝑁 (𝑥𝑖 − 𝜇)2
𝜎 = √ 𝑖=1 , 𝑖 = 1, 2, 3, … , 𝑁
𝑁

or it can be computed using the next formula which is applied in this lesson,

∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2
𝜎=√
𝑁

where:
𝑥 = individual value/score
𝜇 = mean of the population
𝑁 = population size
Steps:
1. Determine the mean of the population.
2. Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by subtracting the mean from each individual value/score.
3. Square the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together to
get ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 .
4. Divide the sum of the squared difference by N, then get the square root of the obtained
answer.

Example 3.3.1:
Business: Suppose a manufacturer of different flavors of juice purchases only seven big
containers for storing juice in the factory. Given are the weights of all the containers, in
kilograms: 105, 100, 102, 95, 100, 98, and 107. Find the population standard deviation of the
weights.
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the mean of the population.
Weight (kg)
105
100
102 ∑ 𝑥 707
𝜇= = = 101
95 𝑁 5
100
98
107
∑ 𝑥 = 707

10
Step 2: Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by subtracting the mean from each individual value.
Weight (kg) 𝑥−𝜇
105 105 – 101 = 4
100 100 – 101 = -1
102 102 – 101 = 1
95 95 – 101 = -6
100 100 – 101 = -1
98 98 – 101 = -3
107 107 – 101 = 6
∑ 𝑥 = 707

Step 3: Square the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together
to get ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 .
Weight (kg) 𝑥−𝜇 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2
105 105 – 101 = 4 42 = 16
100 100 – 101 = -1 (-1)2 = 1
102 102 – 101 = 1 12 = 1
95 95 – 101 = -6 (-6)2 = 36
100 100 – 101 = -1 (-1)2 = 1
98 98 – 101 = -3 (-3)2 = 9
107 107 – 101 = 6 62 = 36
∑ 𝑥 = 707 ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 = 100

Step 4: Divide the sum of the squared difference by 𝑁, then get the square root of the obtained
answer.
∑(𝑥−𝜇)2 100
𝜎=√ 𝑁
=√ 7
= √14.29 = 3.78 kilograms

∴ The population standard deviation of the weights of the seven containers is 3.78 kilograms.

Example 3.3.2:
Flowers: Sam has only 8 rose bushes. The number of flowers in each bush is recorded as follows:
9, 2, 5, 4, 12, 7, 8, and 11. Compute for the population standard deviation.
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the mean of the population.
Number of Flowers
9
2
∑𝑥 58
5 𝜇 = 𝑁 = 8 =7.25
4
12
7
8
11
∑ 𝑥 = 58

11
 Step 2: Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by subtracting the mean from each individual value.
Number of Flowers 𝑥−𝜇
9 9 – 7.25 = 1.75
2 2 – 7.25 = -5.25
5 5 – 7.25 = -2.25
4 4 – 7.25 = -3.25
12 12 – 7.25 = 4.75
7 7 – 7.25 = -0.25
8 8 – 7.25 = 0.75
11 11 – 7.25 = 3.75
∑ 𝑥 = 58

Step 3: Square the difference (𝑥 − 𝜇) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together
to get ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 .
Number of Flowers 𝑥−𝜇 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2
9 9 – 7.25 = 1.75 1.752 = 3.06
2 2 – 7.25 = -5.25 (-5.25)2 = 27.56
5 5 – 7.25 = -2.25 (-2.25)2 = 5.06
4 4 – 7.25 = -3.25 (-3.25)2 = 10.56
12 12 – 7.25 = 4.75 (4.75)2 = 22.56
7 7 – 7.25 = -0.25 (-0.25)2 = 0.06
8 8 – 7.25 = 0.75 0.752 = 0.56
11 11 – 7.25 = 3.75 3.752 =14.06
∑ 𝑥 = 58 ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 = 83.48

Step 4: Divide the sum of the squared difference by 𝑁, then get the square root of the obtained
answer.
∑(𝑥−𝜇)2 83.48
𝜎=√ =√ = √10.435 = 3.23 or 3
𝑁 8

∴ The population standard deviation of the number of flowers is 3.23 or 3.

B. Calculation of the Sample Standard Deviation of Ungrouped Data

The sample standard deviation is denoted by 𝑠 and can be solved using the formula,

∑𝑛 (𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥̅ )2
𝑠 = √ 𝑖=1 , 𝑖 = 1, 2, 3, … , 𝑛
𝑛−1

or it can be computed using the next formula which is used in this lesson,

∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2
𝑠=√
𝑛−1

12
 where:
𝑥 = individual value or score
𝑥̅ = sample mean
𝑛 = sample size
Steps:
1. Determine the mean of the sample.
2. Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by subtracting the mean from each individual value/score.
3. Square the difference (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together
to get ∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 .
4. Divide the sum of the squared difference by (𝑛 − 1) , then get the square root of the
obtained answer.

Example 3.3.3:
Education: The scores of five selected students in a mathematics quiz are 25, 23, 21, 18, and 20.
What is the standard deviation of the sample?
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the mean of the sample.
Score (𝑥)
25
23
21 ∑ 𝑥 107
𝑥̅ = = = 21.4
18 𝑛 5
20
∑ 𝑥 = 107

Step 2: Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by subtracting the mean from each individual value.
Score (𝑥) 𝑥 − 𝑥̅
25 25 – 21.4 = 3.6
23 23 – 21.4 = 1.6
21 21 – 21.4 = -0.4
18 18 – 21.4 = -3.4
20 20 – 21.4 = -1.4
∑ 𝑥 = 107

Step 3: Square the difference(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together
to get ∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 .
Score (𝑥) 𝑥 − 𝑥̅ (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2
25 25 – 21.4 = 3.6 3.62 = 12.96
23 23 – 21.4 = 1.6 1.62 = 2.56
21 21 – 21.4 = -0.4 (-0.4)2 = 0.16
18 18 – 21.4 = -3.4 (-3.4)2 = 11.56
20 20 – 21.4 = -1.4 (-1.4)2 = 1.96
∑ 𝑥 = 107 ∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 = 29.2

13
Step 4: Divide the sum of the squared difference by (𝑛 − 1), then get the square root of the
obtained answer.
∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 29.2 29.2
𝑠=√ =√ =√ = √7.3 = 2.70
𝑛−1 5−1 4

∴ The standard deviation of the scores of five students in a mathematics quiz is 2.70.

Example 3.3.4:
Occasion: The ages of the seven selected female visitors during the birthday party of Mr.
Guzman’s daughter are as follows: 10, 12, 4, 15, 5, 3, and 7. Calculate the sample standard
deviation of the ages of the visitors.
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the mean of the sample.
Score (𝑥)
10
12
4
15 ∑ 𝑥 56
𝑥̅ = = =8
5 𝑛 7
3
7
∑ 𝑥 = 56

Step 2: Get the difference (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by subtracting the mean from each individual value.
Score (𝑥) 𝑥 − 𝑥̅
10 10 – 8 = 2
12 12 – 8 = 4
4 4 – 8 = -4
15 15 – 8 = 7
5 5 – 8 = -3
3 3 – 8 = -5
7 7 – 8 = -1
∑ 𝑥 = 56

Step 3: Square the difference (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ) by multiplying it by itself, then add these values together
to get ∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 .
Score (𝑥) 𝑥 − 𝑥̅ (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2
10 10 – 8 = 2 22 = 4
12 12 – 8 = 4 42 = 16
4 4 – 8 = -4 (-4)2 = 16
15 15 – 8 = 7 72 = 49
5 5 – 8 = -3 (-3)2 = 9
3 3 – 8 = -5 (-5)2 = 25
7 7 – 8 = -1 (-1)2 = 1

14
 ∑ 𝑥 = 83 ∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 = 120

Step 4: Divide the sum of the squared difference by (𝑛 − 1), then get the square root of the
obtained answer.
∑(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 120 120
𝜎=√ =√ =√ = √20 = 4.47
𝑛−1 7−1 6

∴ The sample 𝜎 of the ages of the visitors is 4.47.

Example 3.3.5:
Find the mean and population standard deviation (SD) of the two pairs of values below and
interpret the results.
Pair 1 Set A: 12 14 14 16
Set B: 6 14 14 22
Pair 2 Set A: 20 60 60 100
Set B: 55 60 60 65

For Pair 1: Set A: 12 14 14 16

Set B: 6 14 14 22

Mean of Set A SD of Set A

∑𝑥 Values (𝑥) 𝑥−𝜇 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2
𝜇=
𝑁 12 12 – 14 = -2 (-2)2 = 4
12 + 14 + 14 + 16 14 14 – 14 = 0 02 = 0
=
4 14 14 – 14 = 0 02 = 0
56
= 4 = 14 16 16 – 14 = 2 22 = 4
∑ 𝑥 = 56 ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 = 8

∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 8
𝜎=√ = √ = √2 = 1.414
𝑁 4

Mean of Set B SD of Set B

∑𝑥 Values (𝑥) 𝑥−𝜇 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2
𝜇=
𝑁 6 6 – 14 = -8 (-8)2 = 64
6 + 14 + 14 + 22 14 14 – 14 = 0 02 = 0
=
4 14 14 – 14 = 0 02 = 0
56
= 4 = 14 22 22 – 14 = 8 82 = 64
∑ 𝑥 = 56 ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 = 128

∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 128

𝜎=√ =√ = √32 = 5.657
𝑁 4

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Hence, Set A and Set B have the same mean but different population standard deviations. Since
the population standard deviation of Set A is smaller than the population standard deviation of
Set B, the values of Set A are more consistent than the values of Set B.

For Pair 2: Set A: 20 60 60 100

Set B: 55 60 60 65

Mean of Set A SD of Set A

∑𝑥 Values (𝑥) 𝑥−𝜇 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2
𝜇=
𝑁 20 20 – 60 = -40 (-40)2 = 1600
20 + 60 + 60 + 100 60 60 – 60 = 0 02 = 0
=
4 60 60 – 60 = 0 02 = 0
240
= 4 = 60 100 100 – 60 = 40 402 = 1600
∑ 𝑥 = 240 ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 = 3200

∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 3200

𝜎=√ =√ = √800 = 28.284
𝑁 4

Mean of Set B SD of Set B

∑𝑥 Values (𝑥) 𝑥−𝜇 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2
𝜇=
𝑁 55 55 – 60 = -5 (-5)2 = 25
55 + 60 + 60 + 65 60 60 – 60 = 0 02 = 0
=
4 60 60 – 60 = 0 02 = 0
240
= 4 = 60 65 65 – 60 = 5 52 = 25
∑ 𝑥 = 240 ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 = 50

∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2 50
𝜎=√ = √ = √12.5 = 3.536
𝑁 4

Hence, Set A and Set B have the same mean but different population standard deviations. Since
the population standard deviations of Set B is smaller than the population standard deviation of
Set A, the values of Set B are relatively more consistent or homogeneous than the values of Set
A.

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 -=TARGET PRACTICE 3.3=-
Solve the following problems attained from different disciplines:
1. Economics: A corporation hired 10 employees only last month. The starting salaries in
thousand Philippine pesos for the employees are 10, 12, 12, 15, 10, 18, 25, 20, 15, and 20,
respectively. What is the population standard deviation of the salaries of all the hired
employees last month?

2. Animals: Suppose there only five zebras in Manila Zoo. The ages in years of the zebras
are 27, 15, 7, 19, and 13. What is the population standard deviation of their ages?

3. Agriculture: Suppose that a student is investigating the effects of synthetic fertilizer on the
growth of eggplant seedlings. A random sample of those seedlings yielded the following
heights in inches: 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, and 13. Determine the sample standard deviation
of their heights.

4. Physics: The wind velocity in an airport at 6 PM on eight consecutive days are 13, 8, 15,
11, 3, 10, 12, and 8 miles per hour. Calculate the sample standard deviation of the wind
velocities.

5. Agriculture: For the past ten years, the production of mango in Davao Region yielded
16.24, 6.48, 9.12, 17.34, 6.48, 13.08, 14.76, 17.84, 17.80, and 14.98 metric tons per
hectare. Find the sample standard deviation of the produced mangoes.

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