Definition of «variance»

The term variance refers to a measure of how spread out data values are from their mean. In other words, it is a statistical indicator that tells us how much the data points differ from each other and how close they are to the average value. A high variance indicates that there is a large difference between individual data points and the overall mean, while low variance suggests that the data points are relatively similar in size and are closer to the mean. Variance can be calculated for both numerical and categorical data, but the formulas used differ depending on the type of data being analyzed.

Usage examples

  1. Calculating the variance in a dataset: The first step in calculating variance is to find the mean or average of the set. Then, for each data point, subtract the mean and square the result. Finally, sum up all the squared differences and divide it by the total number of data points to obtain the variance.
  2. Variance in finance: In the context of investing, variance is used as a measure of how spread out the returns of an investment are. A higher variance indicates a wider range of potential returns, suggesting greater volatility and risk associated with the investment.
  3. Variance in statistics: Variance is a statistical concept that measures the degree of dispersion or variability in a set of data points. It provides insights into how much individual data points differ from the average or mean. A lower variance suggests that the data points are more tightly clustered around the mean, whereas a higher variance indicates more scattered or dispersed data points.
  4. Analysis of variance (ANOVA): ANOVA is a statistical technique used to compare means across two or more groups. It analyzes the variance between the group means and within each group to determine if there are significant differences in the population means.
  5. Variance in quality control: In the field of manufacturing, variance is used to assess the consistency and quality of products. By measuring the variance in product dimensions, attributes, or performance, manufacturers can identify any deviations from desired specifications and take corrective actions to improve quality control processes.

Sentences with «variance»

  • Within the calibration period, the fraction of variance of temperature that is explained by the proxies naturally decreases as the noise level of the proxies increases. (nap.edu)
  • That leaves a fair amount of variance in pricing. (dailydot.com)
  • A 2 × 2 (trial × gender) analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to analyze the data. (journals.lww.com)
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