Calculate variance and standard deviation

Plan provides functions to calculate variance and standard deviation in a dataset. Use the functions in this section to measure how widely values are spread around the mean, making it easier to analyze data variability and distribution.

STDEVP

The STDEVP function returns the population standard deviation of a set of numbers. It measures how widely values are dispersed from the mean when the data represents the entire population. The calculation uses n in the denominator.

Syntax

STDEVP(number1, [number2], ...)

Arguments

• number1, number2, ...: The numbers or range of values used to calculate the population standard deviation.

Return value

Returns the population standard deviation of the specified set of numbers.

Example

STDEVP(10, 20, 30, 40, 50)

Returns the population standard deviation of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns 14.14.

You can use the STDEVP function to analyze how widely values are spread from the mean for metrics such as sales, revenue, or performance scores.

Note

Use the STDEVS function when working with sample data, as it calculates the sample standard deviation using (n − 1) in the denominator. Use the STDEVP function when working with the entire population, as it calculates the population standard deviation using n in the denominator.

Excel equivalent

STDEV.P

STDEVS

The STDEVS function returns the sample standard deviation of a set of numbers. It measures how widely values are dispersed from the mean when the data represents a sample of a larger population. The calculation uses (n − 1) in the denominator to provide an unbiased estimate.

Syntax

STDEVS(number1, [number2], ...)

Arguments

• number1, number2, ...: The numbers or range of values used to calculate the sample standard deviation.

Return value

Returns the sample standard deviation of the specified set of numbers.

Example

STDEVS(10, 20, 30, 40, 50)

Returns the sample standard deviation of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns 15.81.

You can use the STDEVS function to analyze how widely values are spread from the mean for metrics such as sales, revenue, or performance scores.

Excel equivalent

STDEV.S

VARP

The VARP function returns the population variance of a set of numbers. It measures how widely values are spread from the mean when the data represents the entire population. The calculation uses n in the denominator.

Syntax

VARP(number1, [number2], ...)

Arguments

• number1, number2, ...: The numbers or range of values used to calculate the population variance.

Return value

Returns the population variance of the specified set of numbers.

Examples

VARP(10, 20, 30)

Returns the population variance of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns 66.67.

VARP(10, 20, 30, 40, 50)

Returns the population variance of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns 200.

You can use the VARP function to analyze how widely values are spread from the mean for metrics such as sales, revenue, or performance scores.

Note

Use the VARS function when working with sample data, as it calculates the sample variance using (n − 1) in the denominator. Use the VARP function when working with the entire population, as it calculates the population variance using n in the denominator.

Excel equivalent

VAR.P

VARS

The VARS function returns the sample variance of a set of numbers. It measures how widely values are spread from the mean when the data represents a sample of a larger population. The calculation uses (n − 1) in the denominator to provide an unbiased estimate.

Syntax

VARS(number1, [number2], ...)

Arguments

• number1, number2, ...: The numbers or range of values used to calculate the sample variance.

Return value

Returns the sample variance of the specified set of numbers.

Examples

VARS(10, 20, 30)

Returns the sample variance of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns 100.

VARS(10, 20, 30, 40, 50)

Returns the sample variance of the specified set of numbers. In this example, the function returns 250.

You can use the VARS function to analyze how widely values are spread from the mean for metrics such as sales, revenue, or performance scores.

Excel equivalent

VAR.S