How do you find the variance of a set of numbers?

Answer 1

1. Find the arithmetic mean (average)

2. Find the distance of each number from the mean (x-the mean=?)

3. Square each number

4. Add up all of the squares

5. Divide the final sum by the original mean

EX: Set: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7

1. 1 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 7 = 20 / 5 = 4

2. 1-4=-3 3-4=-1 4-4=0 5-4=17-4=3

3. 3*3=9 1*1=1 0*0=0 1*1=13*3=9

4. 9 + 1 + 0 + 1 + 9 = 20

5. 20 / 4 = 5