Common Core: S-ID.2
Problem 2 of 45s12-002
Each list below shows 5 quiz scores. Which list has the largest standard deviation?
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Solution walkthrough2:05
- Standard deviation measures how far values typically sit from their own mean. Compare distances, not sizes.
- The means: lists A, B and C each add to , so each mean is . List D has mean .
- Distances from the mean: A is . B is . C and D are each .
- Square the distances and add: A gives , B gives , C and D give . B has the largest, so B is most spread.
- Traps: A has the widest range but three scores on the mean. C just has different values. D just has bigger values.