For a set of data, the average squared deviation from the mean, with a denominator of n-1.

The correct answer is A. Sample Variance. Sample Variance (A) is correct because it is defined precisely as the average squared deviation from the mean using n-1 as the denominator - this divisor is known as Bessel's correction, which adjusts for the bias that arises when estimating a population's variance from a sample.

Measure Phase

Question

Options

ASample Variance
BNormal Distribution
CSample
DPopulation

How the community answered

(24 responses)

A
92% (22)
B
4% (1)
D
4% (1)

Explanation

Sample Variance (A) is correct because it is defined precisely as the average squared deviation from the mean using n-1 as the denominator - this divisor is known as Bessel's correction, which adjusts for the bias that arises when estimating a population's variance from a sample.

B (Normal Distribution) is wrong - it describes a bell-shaped probability distribution, not a variance formula.
C (Sample) is wrong - a "sample" is simply a subset of data drawn from a population, not a statistical measure.
D (Population) is wrong - population variance uses n (not n-1) as the denominator, since you have all the data and no correction is needed.

Memory tip: Think "S for Sample, S for Subtract one" - sample variance subtracts 1 from n. When you have the full population, nothing is missing, so nothing gets subtracted.

Topics

#sample variance#mean deviation#descriptive statistics

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