Seeing is believing!
Before you order, simply sign up for a free user account and in seconds you'll be experiencing the best in CFA exam preparation.
Basic Question 9 of 20
Listed below are two data sets, S and T. Which data set has the larger standard deviation? (Hint: You can answer this question by inspecting the two data sets. If you are not sure after inspection, calculate the standard deviation.)
Data Set T: 8, 9, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12
Data Set S: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Data Set T: 8, 9, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12
User Contributed Comments 11
| User | Comment |
|---|---|
| Lucho | If it is a sample, you should use N instead of N-1 to calculate variance. It it is a population, then you should use N. |
| namie | good question. I guess it is a population variance that's why it uses only N, instead of N-1. In this question we are not trying the sample the data buy actually trying the calculate the sd directly. |
| rfvo | Here, i'll make it easy for ya....check the range |
| dravinskis | Agree with rfvo. |
| AUAU | I think no need to calculate. Just observe the deviation from mean. |
| long2012 | The sample standard deviation of S is 2.74 and population of standard deviation is 2.58. |
| chipster | for once I answered correctly on just gut |
| tichas | though it needs calculation but the range is a good indicator as well |
| cfastudypl | Besides the range providing a good quick indication that data set S has a greater variability, if you look at the figures in data set T, you will see that there are repeated figures of the same values i.e 9 thrice and 11 twice indicating more constant values compare to data set S that has no repeated value and therefore is more volatile and hence the increased standard deviation. |
| nadiahalus | agree with cfastudypl |
| thevinu | I second rfva |
I am happy to say that I passed! Your study notes certainly helped prepare me for what was the most difficult exam I had ever taken.
Andrea Schildbach
Learning Outcome Statements
calculate, interpret, and evaluate measures of dispersion to address an investment problem
CFA® 2025 Level I Curriculum, Volume 1, Module 3.