MODULE 6: MEASURES OF VARIABILITY

Time Frame: 9 Hours

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, the students are expected to:
1. define the measures of variability;
2. determine the characteristics of the measures of variability;
3. review the process in solving the range, variance and standard deviation for ungrouped
data; and
4. solve and analyze variance and standard deviation for grouped data.

ENGAGE

Welcome students to the sixth module of this course.

Previously, you have learned the different measures of central tendency, their
characteristics, and the process in solving and analyzing the computed result. The measures of
central tendency are the mean, median, and mode. These measures will try to explain, through
a single value, the nature of a given data set. You have to remember that among the three,
the most essential is the mean since it is commonly used in data analysis. The mean will also
help you out in solving some measures of variability, such as the variance and the standard
deviation. This module will present the different measures of variability, focusing only to the
range, variance and standard deviation, since they are the most commonly used measures of
variability.
The quartile and average deviations will no longer be discussed in this module. You have to go
with every step and try to practice them to easily remember and apply the procedures provided.

EXPLORE

ACTIVITY 1: Decode the Terms

Directions: Decode and define the jumbled words which are key terms in the measures of
variability.

Jumbled Words Exact Definition (Dictionary)

1. ANGER

2. REPISDOINS

3. TEROEGSHENEOU

4. ENVARIAC

5. NASTDARD INOVIATED

6. OMOGENESHOU

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 EXPLAIN

Introduction
The measures of variability are those that determine the distances between and among
the units of quantitative data. These are the measures that provides information how far or near
one measure to other measures, and how compressed or scattered the data in the given
distribution, unlike the measures of central tendency which do not give information on how the
scores are dispersed. Thus, the term variability or variation takes the operational equivalent
words of difference, distance, deviation, disagreement, error, etc.
For instance, there are two sets of scores with the same mean (𝑥̅), 53.25, but sample A
is less scattered because it is a homogeneous class and sample B is spread wider since it
is a heterogeneous class.
Illustration:
Sample A 40 50 51 52 53 53 54 55 56 57 58 60
Sample B 20 35 40 45 50 55 60 61 63 65 70 75

Observe how close the scores are in sample A and how scattered the scores are in sample B.

Definition and Characteristics of the Range, Variance, and Standard Deviation

1. Range
Range is the most simple and easiest measures of variability, as it measures the
distance between the highest and lowest observation and measure in the given data set.
2. Variance (SD2)
Variance is another measure of variability which is the square of standard deviation. It is
also called as the mean square. One of the sources of variance is the difference
between individuals. There’s a saying which goes, “No two individuals are alike. Even
identical twins differ from each other.” If a set of observation has no difference, there is
no variance.
3. Standard Deviation (SD)
Standard deviation as another measure of variability is the most commonly used
indicator of the degree of dispersion and also the most dependable measure of
variability. Moreover, the standard deviation is the square root of variance. It specifies
the uniform distances of all observations or scores about the mean. It is a potent
indicator of the homogeneity and heterogeneity of the distribution.

Finding the Range, Variance and Standard Deviation for Ungrouped Data
The following are the things to do in finding the measures of variability for ungrouped
data. Study the examples below.
The test result of 20 students in a 100-item examination.
80 79 78 77 75
75 75 75 74 73
72 70 68 67 66
65 64 63 61 60
1. Range:
To find the range, just simply subtract the highest score, which is 80, and the lowest
score, which is 60. That is, R = HS – LS R = 80 – 60 = 20. Thus, 20 is the range of the given
data
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set.

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2. Variance:
There are two ways on how to solve for the variance of an ungrouped data: the Machine
Formula and the Working Formula. In this module, the working formula will be used.

Formula: (Working Formula)

∑(𝑋− 𝑋̅ )2
𝑆𝐷 2 = ,
𝑁−1
SD2 = variance
where:
∑(𝑋 − 𝑋̅ )2 = sum of the squared difference of scores and mean
N = number of cases
Steps:
1. Look for the arithmetic mean
2. Find the difference between the scores and mean or 𝑋 − 𝑋̅ .
3. Square the result in step 2 and add all of them to get the sum or ∑(𝑋 − 𝑋̅)2 .
4. Compute the variance using the formula.

Consider the table below:

Students X (Scores) 𝑋 − 𝑋̅ (Step 2) (𝑋 − 𝑋̅)2 (Step 3)
1 80 80 – 70.85 = 9.15 (9.15)2 = 83. 7225
2 79 8.15 66.4225
3 78 7.15 51.1225
4 77 6.15 37.8225
5 75 4.15 17.2225
6 75 4.15 17.2225
7 75 4.15 17.2225
8 75 4.15 17.2225
9 74 3.15 9.9225
10 73 2.15 4.6225
11 72 1.15 1.3225
12 70 (-0.85) 0.7225
13 68 (-2.85) 8.1225
14 67 (-3.85) 14.8225
15 66 (-4.85) 23.5225
16 65 (-5.85) 34.2225
17 64 (-6.85) 46.9225
18 63 (-7.85) 61.6225
19 61 (-9.85) 97.0225
20 60 (-10.85) 117.7225
Total 1417 ∑(𝑋 − 𝑋̅ )2 =
728.55

Step 1: Solve the mean by dividing the total score by the number of students.
∑ 𝑿 𝟏𝟒𝟏𝟕
𝒙̅ = = = 70.85
𝑵 𝟐𝟎

Step 4: Solve the variance using the Working Formula:

2 ∑(𝑋−
𝑆𝐷 = Therefore, the variance of the given data set is 38.345.
𝑋̅ )2
𝑁−1

728.55
𝑆𝐷2 = = 38.345
20−1

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3. Standard Deviation
You have to remember that the square of variance is the value of the standard deviation.
Conversely, the square of the standard deviation is the variance.
Formula:
∑(𝑋− 𝑋̅ )2
𝑆𝐷 = √ , where:
𝑁−1
SD = standard deviation
∑(𝑋 − 𝑋̅ )2 = sum of the squared difference of scores and mean
N = Number of cases
Steps:
The steps in finding the SD is similar with the variance. The added step is to simply get the square root
of the resulting value in the variance.

Study the table below:

Students X (Scores) 𝑋 − 𝑋̅ (Step 2) (𝑋 − 𝑋̅)2 (Step 3)
1 80 80 – 70.85 = 9.15 (9.15)2 = 83. 7225
2 79 8.15 66.4225
3 78 7.15 51.1225
4 77 6.15 37.8225
5 75 4.15 17.2225
6 75 4.15 17.2225
7 75 4.15 17.2225
8 75 4.15 17.2225
9 74 3.15 9.9225
10 73 2.15 4.6225
11 72 1.15 1.3225
12 70 (-0.85) 0.7225
13 68 (-2.85) 8.1225
14 67 (-3.85) 14.8225
15 66 (-4.85) 23.5225
16 65 (-5.85) 34.2225
17 64 (-6.85) 46.9225
18 63 (-7.85) 61.6225
19 61 (-9.85) 97.0225
20 60 (-10.85) 117.7225
Total 1417 ∑(𝑋 − 𝑋̅ )2 =
728.55

Step 1: Solve the mean by dividing the total score by the number of students.
∑ 𝑿 𝟏𝟒𝟏𝟕
𝒙̅ = = = 70.85
𝑵 𝟐𝟎
Step 4: Solve the variance using the Working Formula:

2 ∑(𝑋−
𝑆𝐷
𝑋̅ ) 2 = SD = √38.345 = 6.192
𝑁−1

728.55
𝑆𝐷2 = = 38.345 Therefore, the standard deviation of the data set is 6.192.
20−1

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Solving the Variance and Standard Deviation for Grouped Data
There are different methods in solving the variance and standard deviation for grouped
data. In this module, the method to be used is the Midpoint Method. Remember, the square root
of the variance is the standard deviation.

Formula: Variance Formula: Standard Deviation

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∑[𝑓(𝑥− 𝑥̅) ] ∑[𝑓(𝑥− 𝑥̅)2]
𝑆𝐷2 = 𝑁−1
, where:
𝑆𝐷 = √ , where:
𝑁−1
𝑆𝐷2 = variance
𝑆𝐷2 = variance
∑ 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 = sum of the product of frequency and
∑ 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 = sum of the product of frequency and
the squared difference of midpoint
the squared difference of midpoint
and mean
and mean
N = total number of data
N = total number of data
Steps:
1. Solve the mean for grouped data.
2. Subtract from each midpoint (x) the mean (𝑥̅) and place the difference in a column for
(𝑥 − 𝑥 ̅ ).
3. Square each difference in step 2 and put it to a column for (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 .
4. Multiply the frequency (f) and the (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 , then place the result in a column for 𝑓 (𝑥 − ̅𝑥)2 .
5. Add all the resulting values in step 4 to get ∑[𝑓 (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 ].
6. Apply the formula and solve the variance.

Extra step for Standard Deviation:

After solving the variance, just simply get the square root to solve the standard deviation.

For illustration purposes, the FDT on Page 23 of Module 4 is being used.

Class Limits Frequency Midpoint

Integral Limits f x fx

96-100 3 98 294
91-95 5 93 465
86-90 4 88 352
81-85 5 83 415
76-90 6 78 468
71-85 9 73 657
66-70 6 68 408
61-65 4 63 252
56-60 3 58 174
51-55 3 53 159
46-50 2 48 96
N=50
∑ 𝑓𝑥 =
3740

Step 1:
∑ 𝑓𝑥
𝑥̅ = 𝑥̅ =
3740
= 𝟕𝟒. 𝟖
∑𝑁
50

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Study the next table for the next steps provided:

Class Limits Frequency Midpoint Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

Integral f x fx x - ̅𝒙 (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 𝑓 (𝑥 − ̅𝑥)2
Limits
96-100 3 98 294 98 – 74.8 = 23.2 (23.2)2 = 3(538.24) =
538.24 1614.72
91-95 5 93 465 18.2 331.24 1656.2
86-90 4 88 352 13.2 174.24 696.96
81-85 5 83 415 8.2 67.24 336.2
76-90 6 78 468 3.2 10.24 61.44
71-85 9 73 657 -1.8 3.24 29.16
66-70 6 68 408 -6.8 46.24 277.44
61-65 4 63 252 -11.8 139.24 556.96
56-60 3 58 174 -16.8 282.24 846.72
51-55 3 53 159 -21.8 475.24 1425.72
46-50 2 48 96 -26.8 718.24 1436.48
N=50 ∑ 𝑓𝑥 = 3740 (Step 5)
∑[𝑓(𝑥 −
𝑥̅)2]= 8938
𝑥̅ = 𝟕𝟒. 𝟖

Step 6: Solve for the variance using the given formula:

𝑆𝐷2 ∑[𝑓(𝑥− 𝑥̅)2]

= Computation:
𝑁−1
2
2 ∑[𝑓(𝑥− 𝑥̅) ] Therefore, the variance is 182.408
From the table above, the given are: 𝑆𝐷 = 𝑁−
1
∑[𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 ]= 8938
2
N = 50 8938
𝑆𝐷 = 50−
1
2
8938
𝑆𝐷 = 4
9
SD2 = 182.408

Step 7 (For Standard Deviation):

Just simply get the square root of the variance.

∑[𝑓(𝑥− 𝑥̅)2] Therefore, the standard deviation is 13.506.

SD = √ 𝑁−
1
8938
SD = √ 50−
1
SD =
√182.408
SD = 13.506

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 ELABORATE

ACTIVITY 2: Same Table, Different Measures

A. Directions: Using the table you have completed in Module 4, Activity 2: Fill Me Up!,
page 30, and the value of the mean you have computed in Module 5,
Activity 2: Do It Yourself, page 38, accurately solve the measures of
variability and provide a short interpretation.

1. Variance

2. Standard Deviation

EVALUATE

ACTIVITY 3: Make Sure Everything is Right!

A. Directions: Using the table you have constructed in Module 4, Activity 3: Organize
Your Data, page 31, and the value of the mean you have computed in Module
5, Activity 3: Accelerate Your Skills, page 39, accurately solve the measures
of variability and provide a short interpretation.

1. Variance

2. Standard Deviation

B. Directions: Answer the question that follows.

1. What is the relationship between the mean and the standard deviation?

Closure:
In this module, you have learned the commonly used measures of variability. These
measures will help you see whether the scores are homogeneous or heterogeneous in nature.
These measures show how close or scatter the scores are about the mean. In the case of
variance and standard deviation, these measures are somehow connected with each other and
are reliant to the value of the mean. If you have correctly constructed the frequency distribution
table and solved the mean, you can have a higher chance of getting the exact value of the
variance and standard deviation. Make sure to go over with every step in order to come up a
more accurate result. Keep your pace up and whenever possible, consult the teacher in times of
difficulty. The journey is still long and I hope that you will always be on track.