Standard Deviation

In this video Paul Andersen explains the importance of standard deviation. He starts with a discussion of normal distribution and how the standard deviation measures the average distance from the mean, or the "spread" of data. He then shows you how to calculate standard deviation by hand using the formula. He finally shows you how to calculate the standard deviation using a spreadsheet.

The calculated standard deviation is 2.7.

Intro Music Atribution
Artist: CosmicD
Creative Commons Atribution License

[armsdragon]

"It's not scary at all, it just means you have to do a lot of work."

That's the scary part

[MorticiaObscurum]

I like how most statistics video always say "don't be scared".

It's kinda soothing, in a way.

[zipzap]

pov: you're a sophomore who blindly chose AP Biology as your class and you are now deeply regretting your decision

[calculatorcake]

sometimes at night i cry myself to sleep

[crouchingpantherhiddendrag]

Mr. Andersen, you saved my life in 15 minutes with this tutorial! If I were going to have more children I would not hesitate to name them after you. I looked at this twice, and was able to solve the second problem and get it right! I looked countless other videos and all I got was crickets. The way you explained it will be easier to understand when testing time comes around. I have always had a fear of math, but I have never felt more confident since finding your lectures. I am 46, and I have 5 classes left before I graduate with a degree in Health Information Technology next spring. Whoever said you can't teach an old dog new tricks was severely incorrect. Once again, I thank you and bow in your direction!

[teachmeee]

Dude you could seriously teach OF MY MATH CLASSES!!! It took you 7 minutes to teach something that took 9 weeks to learn.

[seeinbubbles]

I am taking a statistics class right now online and find that it is a little difficult for me to get a handle on, so this video helped me out so much by watching someone actually did the an example of what I need to do. I am a visual learning so this helped so much. Thanks

[ericyong]

Well this is one of the best videos out there but for people who want direct direct steps here ya go:
Step 1: Find the mean in your data. (Add all up, Divide by how many values)
Step 2: Subtract the mean from each value of your data, and square the answer. Do this for all values
Step 3: Add up all results from new values, and divide by how many values (Should be same No. of values from step 1)
Step 4: Square root the answer you got from step 3. The answer you get is the standard deviation

[tfkalldaway]

Seriously? Why couldn't my chem teacher just explain it to me like this. THANK YOU!

[sammiepaws]

Hey! I've been watching your videos for all of my chemistry and math courses for the past 4 years and I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making these videos! Knowledge is power and you are giving that to everyone who seeks out help through youtube. You are wonderful. Thank you so much!

[blackwolf]

Thank you Mr.Anderson for presenting this nice informations

[shokofakarimi]

I love how clear, relaxed and simple you explain. I used to always watch your vids when I was in high school and now I m doing my first year of Uni, still watching your vids, Thank you X

[seventhwave]

oh my goodness. I've spent so much time trying to understand this concept and Mr Andersen explains it in exactly one minute and eleven seconds. Kudos to you Mr Andersen. Give this man a gold star.

[SAM]

For a person with a Linguistics background, your explanation was awesome. Very simple and clear and you also combined both formulae with an Excel work. I love that and thanks a million again!

Now, I understand what it means Standard Deviation is the Square Root of the Variance :)

[RobertMStFleur]

Teacher, you have done a great job, don't forget to use parenthesis before squaring the numbers.  For example, if you have negative 2 with an exponent 2 without a parenthesis, the answer is negative four (-4). On the other hand, if you use a parenthesis (-2) with an exponent 2, the answer is positive 4.

[marcobagut]

Finally someone who knows how to explain this: rationale and calculation. Great!

[hirajabbar]

Hello Mr. Anderson. I used to watch your videos when I was in intermediate around 6 years ago or maybe more than that. And now, after 6 years here I am again doing my MS n you saved me again. Thanks

[MarvinsGarage]

Thank you Mr. Anderson. It doesn't matter how many times throughout your life that you learn this. If you don't use it you lose it. Thank you for teaching it to me again!!!! 

[Anjali-Mone]

This makes so much more sense now thank you so much! Im taking AP bio as a junior so this was very confusing at first but you explained it perfectly! thank youuu!

[TheRealHawkeye]

I am a graduate student in aerospace science. For the first time in my life, we had to calculate the standard deviation on some figures. I am no stranger to math, but I am certainly a neophyte when it comes to statistics. I had little by way of instruction vis-a-vis standard deviation calculations. Your presentation was excellent! It helped me and my team with what we needed. I thank you very much.