CHAPTER 4

4. Measures of Dispersion (Variation)

4.1 Introduction and objectives of measuring Variation

-The scatter or spread of items of a distribution is known as dispersion or variation. In

other words the degree to which numerical data tend to spread about an average value is
called dispersion or variation of the data.
-Measures of dispersions are statistical measures which provide ways of measuring the
extent in which data are dispersed or spread out.
Objectives of measuring Variation:

 To judge the reliability of measures of central tendency

 To control variability itself.
 To compare two or more groups of numbers in terms of their variability.
 To make further statistical analysis.
Absolute and Relative Measures of Dispersion

The measures of dispersion which are expressed in terms of the original unit of a series
are termed as absolute measures. Such measures are not suitable for comparing the
variability of two distributions which are expressed in different units of measurement and
different average size. Relative measures of dispersions are a ratio or percentage of a
measure of absolute dispersion to an appropriate measure of central tendency and are thus
pure numbers independent of the units of measurement. For comparing the variability of
two distributions (even if they are measured in the same unit), we compute the relative
measure of dispersion instead of absolute measures of dispersion.

4.2 Types of Measures of Dispersion

Various measures of dispersions are in use. The most commonly used measures of
dispersions are:
1) Range and relative range
2) Quartile deviation and coefficient of Quartile deviation
3) Mean deviation and coefficient of Mean deviation
4) Standard deviation ,coefficient of variation and standard scores

The Range (R)

The range is the largest score minus the smallest score. It is a quick and dirty measure of
variability, although when a test is given back to students they very often wish to know
the range of scores. Because the range is greatly affected by extreme scores, it may give a
distorted picture of the scores. The following two distributions have the same range, 13,
yet appear to differ greatly in the amount of variability.

1
 Distribution 1: 32 35 36 36 37 38 40 42 42 43 43 45
Distribution 2: 32 32 33 33 33 34 34 34 34 34 35 45

For this reason, among others, the range is not the most important measure of variability.

R=L−S , L=larg est observation

S=smallest observation
Range for grouped data:
If data are given in the shape of continuous frequency distribution, the range is computed
as:

R=UCLk −LCL1 , UCL k is upperclass lim it of the last class.

UCL1 is lower class lim it of the first class .
This is some times expressed as:
R=X k −X 1 , X k is class mark of the last class .
X 1 is class mark of the first class .
Merits and Demerits of range

Merits:
 It is rigidly defined.
 It is easy to calculate and simple to understand.
Demerits:
 It is not based on all observation.
 It is highly affected by extreme observations.
 It is affected by fluctuation in sampling.
 It is not liable to further algebraic treatment.
 It can not be computed in the case of open end distribution.
 It is very sensitive to the size of the sample.
Relative Range (RR)
-it is also some times called coefficient of range and given by:
L−S R
RR= =
L+ S L+S
Example:
1. Find the relative range of the above two distribution.(exercise!)
2. If the range and relative range of a series are 4 and 0.25 respectively. Then what is the
value of:
a) Smallest observation
b) Largest observation

Solutions :( 2)

2
 R=4 ⇒ L−S=4 _________________ (1)
RR=0. 25 ⇒ L+ S=16 _____________ (2 )
Solving (1) and (2) at the same time , one can obtain the following value
L=10 and S=6

The Quartile Deviation (Semi-inter quartile range), Q.D

The inter quartile range is the difference between the third and the first quartiles of a set of
items and semi-inter quartile range is half of the inter quartile range.
Q3 −Q1
Q. D=
2
Coefficient of Quartile Deviation (C.Q.D)

( Q3 −Q 1 / 2 2∗Q . D Q 3 −Q 1
C . Q . D= = =
( Q3 +Q1 )/ 2 Q 3 +Q1 Q3 +Q1

 It gives the average amount by which the two quartiles differ from the median.

Example: Compute Q.D and its coefficient for the following distribution.

Values Frequency
140- 150 17
150- 160 29
160- 170 42
170- 180 72
180- 190 84
190- 200 107
200- 210 49
210- 220 34
220- 230 31
230- 240 16
240- 250 12

Solutions:
In the previous chapter we have obtained the values of all quartiles as:
Q1= 174.90, Q2= 190.23, Q3=203.83

3
 Q3 −Q1 203 . 83−174 . 90
⇒ Q. D= = =14 . 47
2 2
2∗Q. D 2∗14 . 47
C .Q . D= = =0 . 076
Q3 +Q1 203. 83+174 .90
Remark: Q.D or C.Q.D includes only the middle 50% of the observation.

The Mean Deviation (M.D):

The mean deviation of a set of items is defined as the arithmetic mean of the values of the
absolute deviations from a given average. Depending up on the type of averages used we
have different mean deviations.
a) Mean Deviation about the mean
 Denoted by M.D( X̄ ) and given by

n
∑ |X i − X̄|
i =1
M . D ( X̄ )=
n
 For the case of frequency distribution it is given as:

k
∑ f i|X i− X̄|
i =1
M . D ( X̄ )=
n

Steps to calculate M.D ( X̄ ):

1. Find the arithmetic mean, X̄
2. Find the deviations of each reading from X̄ .
3. Find the arithmetic mean of the deviations, ignoring sign.

b) Mean Deviation about the median.

~
 Denoted by M.D( X ) and given by

n
∑ |X i −~
X|
~ i =1
M . D ( X )=
n
 For the case of frequency distribution it is given as:

4
 k
∑ f i|X i−~
X|
~ i =1
M . D ( X )=
n
~
Steps to calculate M.D ( X ):
~
1. Find the median, X
~
2. Find the deviations of each reading from X .
3. Find the arithmetic mean of the deviations, ignoring sign.

c) Mean Deviation about the mode.


^
Denoted by M.D( X ) and given by

n
∑|X i − X|
^
M . D ( X^ )=
i =1
n

 For the case of frequency distribution it is given as:

k
∑ f i|X i− X|
^
^ )=i =1
M . D( X
n

Steps to calculate M.D ( X ):

^
1. Find the mode,
^
X
^
2. Find the deviations of each reading from X .
3. Find the arithmetic mean of the deviations, ignoring sign.

Examples:
1. The following are the number of visit made by ten mothers to the local doctor’s surgery.
8, 6, 5, 5, 7, 4, 5, 9, 7, 4
Find mean deviation about mean, median and mode.
Solutions:
First calculate the three averages
~ ^
X̄=6 , X =5. 5 , X=5

5
 Then take the deviations of each observation from these averages.
Xi 4 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 total
|X i−6| 2 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 3 14

|X i−5 . 5| 1.5 1.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.5 1.5 2.5 3.5 14

|X i−5| 1 1 0 0 0 1 2 2 3 4 14

10
∑ |X i −6 )|
i=1 14
⇒ M . D ( X̄ )= = =1. 4
10 10
10
∑ |X i −5. 5|
~ i =1 14
M . D ( X )= = =1 . 4
10 10
10
∑ |X i −5)|
^ )=i =1 14
M . D( X = =1 . 4
10 10

2. Find mean deviation about mean, median and mode for the following distributions.
(exercise)

Class Frequency
40-44 7
45-49 10
50-54 22
55-59 15
60-64 12
65-69 6
70-74 3

Remark: Mean deviation is always minimum about the median.

6
Coefficient of Mean Deviation (C.M.D)

M .D
C . M . D=
Average about which deviations are taken

M . D( X̄ )
⇒C . M . D( X̄ )=
X̄
~
~ M . D( X )
C . M . D ( X )= ~
X
M . D( X^ )
C . M . D ( X^ )=
X^
Example: calculate the C.M.D about the mean, median and mode for the data in example
1 above.

Solutions:

M .D
C . M . D=
Average about which deviations are taken

M . D( X̄ ) 1 . 4
⇒C . M . D( X̄ )= = =0 .233
X̄ 6
~
~ M . D( X ) 1. 4
C . M . D ( X )= ~ = =0 .255
X 5 .5
^ M . D( X^ ) 1. 4
C . M . D ( X )= = =0 .28
X^ 5
Exercise: Identify the merits and demerits of Mean Deviation

7
The Variance
Population Variance
If we divide the variation by the number of values in the population, we get
something called the population variance. This variance is the "average squared deviation
from the mean".
1
Population Varince=σ 2=
N
∑ ( X i −μ)2 , i=1 , 2 ,. .. . . N

For the case of frequency distribution it is expressed as:

1
Population Varince=σ 2=
N
∑ f i ( X i−μ )2 , i=1 ,2 , .. . .. k

Sample Variance

One would expect the sample variance to simply be the population variance with the
population mean replaced by the sample mean. However, one of the major uses of
statistics is to estimate the corresponding parameter. This formula has the problem that
the estimated value isn't the same as the parameter. To counteract this, the sum of the
squares of the deviations is divided by one less than the sample size.

1
Sample Varince= S 2=
n−1
∑ ( X i− X̄ )2 , i=1 , 2, . .. .. , n

For the case of frequency distribution it is expressed as:

1
Sample Varince= S 2=
n−1
∑ f i ( X i − X̄ )2 , i=1, 2 ,. . .. . k

We usually use the following short cut formula.

n
∑ X i2 −n X̄ 2
S2 = i=1 , for raw data .
n−1
k
∑ f i X i2 −n X̄ 2
S 2= i =1 , for frequency distribution .
n−1

8
 Standard Deviation

There is a problem with variances. Recall that the deviations were squared. That means
that the units were also squared. To get the units back the same as the original data
values, the square root must be taken.

Population stan dard deviation=σ =√ σ 2

Sample s tan dard deviation=s=√ S 2
The following steps are
used to calculate the sample standard deviation

1. Find the arithmetic mean.

2. Find the difference between each observation and the mean.
3. Square these differences.
4. Sum the squared differences.
5. Since the data is a sample, divide the number (from step 4 above) by the number of
observations minus one, i.e., n-1 (where n is equal to the number of observations in the
data set).
6. Square root the result obtained from step 5

Examples: Find the variance and standard deviation of the following sample data
1. 5, 17, 12, 10.
2. The data is given in the form of frequency distribution.

Class Frequency
40-44 7
45-49 10
50-54 22
55-59 15
60-64 12
65-69 6
70-74 3
Solutions:
1. X̄ =11

Xi 5 10 12 17 Total

(Xi- X̄ ) 2 36 1 1 36 74

9
 n
∑ ( X i − X̄ )2
74
⇒ S 2= i=1 = =24 . 67 .
n−1 3
⇒ S=√ S 2 =√ 24 .67=4 . 97 .

2. X̄ =55
Xi(C.M) 42 47 52 57 62 67 72 Total

fi(Xi- X̄ ) 2 1183 640 198 60 588 864 867 4400

n
∑ f i ( X i− X̄ )2
4400
⇒ S 2= i=1 = =59 . 46 .
n−1 74
⇒ S=√ S 2 =√ 59 . 46=7 . 71.
Special properties of Standard deviations

1. √ n−1 √
∑ ( X i − X̄ )2 < ∑ ( X i −A )2
n−1
2. For normal (symmetric distribution the following holds.
, A≠ X̄

 Approximately 68.27% of the data values fall within one standard deviation of the
( X̄ −S , X̄ + S )
mean. i.e. with in
 Approximately 95.45% of the data values fall within two standard deviations of the
( X̄ −2 S , X̄ +2 S )
mean. i.e. with in
 Approximately 99.73% of the data values fall within three standard deviations of the
( X̄ −3 S , X̄ +3 S )
mean. i.e. with in

3. Chebyshev's Theorem
For any data set ,no matter what the pattern of variation, the proportion of the values
that fall with in k standard deviations of the mean or ( X̄ −kS , X̄ +kS ) will be at

10
 1
1−
least k 2 , where k is a number greater than 1. i.e. the proportion of items falling
1
2
beyond k standard deviations of the mean is at most k
Example: Suppose a distribution has mean 50 and standard deviation
6.What percent of the numbers are:
a) Between 38 and 62
b) Between 32 and 68
c) Less than 38 or more than 62.
d) Less than 32 or more than 68.

Solutions:

a) 38 and 62 are at equal distance from the mean,50 and this distance is 12
⇒ ks=12
12 12
⇒ k= = =2
S 6

1
(1− 2
)∗100 %=75 %
 Applying the above theorem at least k of the numbers lie between
38 and 62.

b) Similarly done.
1
∗100 %=25 %
c) It is just the complement of a) i.e. at most k2 of the numbers lie
less than 32 or more than 62.
d) Similarly done.

Example 2:
The average score of a special test of knowledge of wood refinishing has a mean of 53
and standard deviation of 6. Find the range of values in which at least 75% the scores will
lie. (Exercise)

4. If the standard deviation of

X 1 , X 2 , .. . .. X n is S , then the standard deviation of
a)
X 1 +k , X 2 +k , . . .. . X n +k will also be S

b)
kX 1 , kX 2 , .....kX n would be |k| S

11
 c)
a+kX 1 , a+kX 2 , .. .. . a+kX n would be|k| S
Exercise: Verify each of the above relation ship, considering k and a as constants.

Examples:

1. The mean and standard deviation of n Tetracycline Capsules 1

X , X , .. . .. X
2 n are
known to be 12 gm and 3 gm respectively. New set of capsules of another drug are
obtained by the linear transformation Yi = 2Xi – 0.5 ( i = 1, 2, …, n ) then what will
be the standard deviation of the new set of capsules
2. The mean and the standard deviation of a set of numbers are respectively 500 and 10.
a. If 10 is added to each of the numbers in the set, then what will
be the variance and standard deviation of the new set?
b. If each of the numbers in the set are multiplied by -5, then what
will be the variance and standard deviation of the new set?

Solutions:

1. Using c) above the new standard deviation = |k|S=2∗3=6

2. a. They will remain the same.

b. New standard deviation= =|k|S=5∗10=50

Coefficient of Variation (C.V)

 Is defined as the ratio of standard deviation to the mean usually expressed as percents.
S
C . V = ∗100
X̄
 The distribution having less C.V is said to be less variable or more consistent.
Examples:
1. An analysis of the monthly wages paid (in Birr) to workers in two firms A and B belonging to
the same industry gives the following results

Value Firm A Firm B

Mean wage 52.5 47.5
Median wage 50.5 45.5
Variance 100 121

In which firm A or B is there greater variability in individual wages?

Solutions:
Calculate coefficient of variation for both firms.
SA 10
C . V A= ∗100= ∗100=19 . 05 %
X̄ A 52. 5

12
 SB 11
C .V B = ∗100= ∗100=23. 16 %
X̄ B 47 .5
Since C.VA < C.VB, in firm B there is greater variability in individual wages.
2. A meteorologist interested in the consistency of temperatures in three cities during a given
week collected the following data. The temperatures for the five days of the week in the three
cities were

City 1 25 24 23 26 17
City2 22 21 24 22 20
City3 32 27 35 24 28

Which city have the most consistent temperature, based on these data?
(Exercise)

Standard Scores (Z-scores)

 If X is a measurement from a distribution with mean X̄ and standard

deviation S, then its value in standard units is

X−μ
Z= , for population .
σ
X− X̄
Z= , for sample
S
 Z gives the deviations from the mean in units of standard deviation
 Z gives the number of standard deviation a particular observation lie above or
below the mean.
 It is used to compare two observations coming from different groups.
Examples:
1. Two sections were given introduction to statistics examinations. The following
information was given.

Value Section 1 Section 2

Mean 78 90
Stan.deviation 6 5

Student A from section 1 scored 90 and student B from section 2 scored 95.Relatively
speaking who performed better?

Solutions:
Calculate the standard score of both students.

13
 X A − X̄ 1 90−78
Z A= = =2
S1 6
X − X̄ 2 95−90
Z B= B = =1
S2 5
 Student A performed better relative to his section because the score of student A is
two standard deviation above the mean score of his section while, the score of student B
is only one standard deviation above the mean score of his section.
2. Two groups of people were trained to perform a certain task and tested to find out
which group is faster to learn the task. For the two groups the following information
was given:

Value Group one Group two

Mean 10.4 min 11.9 min

Stan.dev. 1.2 min 1.3 min

Relatively speaking:
a) Which group is more consistent in its performance
b) Suppose a person A from group one take 9.2 minutes while
person B from Group two take 9.3 minutes, who was faster in
performing the task? Why?
Solutions:
a) Use coefficient of variation.
S1 1 .2
C . V 1 = ∗100= ∗100=11. 54 %
X̄ 1 10 . 4
S2 1 .3
C . V 2 = ∗100= ∗100=10 . 92%
X̄ 2 11. 9
Since C.V2 < C.V1, group 2 is more consistent.
b) Calculate the standard score of A and B

X A − X̄ 1 9. 2−10 . 4
Z A= = =−1
S1 1.2
X − X̄ 2 9 .3−11. 9
Z B= B = =−2
S2 1. 3
Child B is faster because the time taken by child B is two standard deviation shorter
than the average time taken by group 2 while, the time taken by child A is only one
standard deviation shorter than the average time taken by group 1.

4.3 Moments

14
 - If X is a variable that assume the values X1, X2,…..,Xn then
1. The rth moment is defined as:
X r + X r +. ..+ X r
r 1 2 n
X̄ =
n
n
∑ Xir
=i=1
n
- For the case of frequency distribution this is expressed as:

k
∑ f i Xir
X̄ r = i=1
n
- If r =1 ,it is the simple arithmetic mean, this is called the first moment.

2. The rth moment about the mean ( the rth central moment)

- Denoted by Mr and defined as:

n n
∑ ( X i− X̄ ) r
( n−1)
∑ ( X i− X̄ )r
M r = i =1 = i =1
n n n−1
- For the case of frequency distribution this is expressed as:

k
∑ f i ( X i − X̄ )r
M r = i =1
n
- Ifr =2 , it is population variance, this is called the second central moment. If we
assume n−1≈n ,it is also the sample variance.

3. The rth moment about any number A is defined as:

M
- Denoted by r ' and

15
 n n
∑ ( X i− A ) r
( n−1)
∑ ( X i− A )r
M ' = i =1 = i =1
r n n n−1
- For the case of frequency distribution this is expressed as:

k
∑ f i ( X i −A )r
M ' = i =1
r n
Example:
1. Find the first two moments for the following set of numbers 2, 3, 7
2. Find the first three central moments of the numbers in problem 1
3. Find the third moment about the number 3 of the numbers in problem 1.
Solutions:
1. Use the rth moment formula.
n
∑ Xir
X̄ r =i =1
n
2+ 3+7
⇒ X̄ 1 = =4= X̄
3
2 2 2
2 2 +3 +7
X̄ = =20 . 67
3
2. Use the rth central moment formula.
n
∑ ( X i − X̄ )r
M r = i=1
n
( 2−4 )+( 3−4 )+( 7−4 )
⇒ M 1= =0
3
( 2−4 )2 +( 3−4 )2 +(7−4 )2
M 2= =4 . 67
3
( 2−4 )3 +( 3−4 )3 +( 7−4 )3
M 3= =6
3

16
3. Use the rth moment about A.

n
∑ ( X i − A )r
M r = i=1
n
( 2−3 )3 +( 3−3 )3 +( 7−3 )3
⇒ M '= =21
3 3

4.4 Skewness

- Skewness is the degree of asymmetry or departure from symmetry of a distribution.

- A skewed frequency distribution is one that is not symmetrical.
- Skewness is concerned with the shape of the curve not size.
- If the frequency curve (smoothed frequency polygon) of a distribution has a longer tail
to the right of the central maximum than to the left, the distribution is said to be
skewed to the right or said to have positive skewness. If it has a longer tail to the left of
the central maximum than to the right, it is said to be skewed to the left or said to have
negative skewness.
- For moderately skewed distribution, the following relation holds among the three
commonly used measures of central tendency.
Mean−Mode=3∗( Mean−Median )
Measures of Skewness

- Denoted by 3
α
- There are various measures of skewness.
1. The Pearsonian coefficient of skewness
Mean−Mode X̄− X^
α 3= =
S tan dard deviation S
2. The Bowley’s coefficient of skewness ( coefficient of skewness
based on quartiles)
( Q 3 −Q 2 )−( Q 2 −Q 1 ) Q 3 +Q 1 −2Q 2
α 3= =
Q 3 −Q 1 Q 3 −Q 1
3. The moment coefficient of skewness

17
 M3 M M
α 3= = 2 33/ 2 = 33 , Where σ is the population s tan dard deviation .
M 3 /2 ( σ ) σ
2
α3
The shape of the curve is determined by the value of


If α 3 >0 then the distribution is positively skewed .

If α 3 =0 then the distribution is symmetric .

If α 3 <0 then the distribution is negatively skewed .

Remark:
o In a positively skewed distribution, smaller observations are more
frequent than larger observations. i.e. the majority of the
observations have a value below an average.
o In a negatively skewed distribution, smaller observations are less
frequent than larger observations. i.e. the majority of the
observations have a value above an average.

Examples:
1. Suppose the mean, the mode, and the standard deviation of a certain distribution
are 32, 30.5 and 10 respectively. What is the shape of the curve representing the
distribution?
Solutions:

Use the Pearsonian coefficient of skewness

Mean−Mode 32−30 . 5
α 3= = =0. 15
S tan dard deviation 10
α 3 >0 ⇒ The distribution is positively skewed .
2. In a frequency distribution, the coefficient of skewness based on the quartiles is
given to be 0.5. If the sum of the upper and lower quartile is 28 and the median is
11, find the values of the upper and lower quartiles.
Solutions:

~
α 3=0. 5 , X =Q2=11
Given:
Q1 +Q3 =28 . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. ..(∗) Q,
Required: 1
Q3

18
 (Q −Q )−(Q2−Q1 ) Q3 +Q1 −2 Q2
α 3= 3 2 = =0 .5
Q3 −Q1 Q3 −Q1
Substituting the given values , one can obtain the following
Q3 −Q1=12 . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . ..(** )
Solving (∗) and (**) at the same time we obtain the following values
Q1 =8 and Q3 =20
3. Some characteristics of annually family income distribution (in Birr) in two
regions is as follows:
Region Mea Median Standard Deviation
n
A 6250 5100 960
B 6980 5500 940
a) Calculate coefficient of skewness for each region
b) For which region is, the income distribution more skewed. Give your
interpretation for this Region
c) For which region is the income more consistent?

Solutions: (exercise)

4. For a moderately skewed frequency distribution, the mean is 10 and the median is
8.5. If the coefficient of variation is 20%, find the Pearsonian coefficient of
skewness and the probable mode of the distribution. (exercise)

5. The sum of fifteen observations, whose mode is 8, was found to be 150 with
coefficient of variation of 20%
(a) Calculate the Pearsonian coefficient of skewness and give appropriate
conclusion.
(b) Are smaller values more or less frequent than bigger values for this
distribution?
(c) If a constant k was added on each observation, what will be the new
Pearsonian coefficient of skewness? Show your steps. What do you conclude
from this?
(Exercise)

4.5 Kurtosis

Kurtosis is the degree of peakdness of a distribution, usually taken relative to a

normal distribution. A distribution having relatively high peak is called leptokurtic. If
a curve representing a distribution is flat topped, it is called platykurtic. The normal
distribution which is not very high peaked or flat topped is called mesokurtic.
Measures of kurtosis
The moment coefficient of kurtosis:

19
  Denoted by
α4 and given by
M4 M 4
α 4= =
M 2 σ4
2
Where : M 4 is the fourth moment about the mean.
M 2 is the sec ond moment about the mean .
σ is the population s tan dard deviation.
α
The peakdness depends on the value of 4 .
If α 4 >3 then the curve is leptokurtic .
If α 4 =3 then the curve is mesokurtic .
If α 4 <3 then the curve is platykurtic .
Examples:
1. If the first four central moments of a distribution are:
M 1 =0 , M 2 =16 , M 3 =−60 , M 4 =162
a) Compute a measure of skewness
b) Compute a measure of kurtosis and give your interpretation.

Solutions:
M3 −60
α 3= = =−0 . 94<0
M 3/2 163/2
2

a) ⇒T he distribution is negatively skewed .

M4 162
α 4= = =0 . 6 <3
M 16 2
22
b) ⇒ The curve is platykurtic .
2. The median and the mode of a mesokurtic distribution are 32 and 34 respectively. The 4th
moment about the mean is 243. Compute the Pearsonian coefficient of skewness and
identify the type of skewness. Assume (n-1 = n) (exercise).

3. If the standard deviation of a symmetric distribution is 10, what should be the value of
the fourth moment so that the distribution is mesokurtic?
Solutions (exercise).

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