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BA II Plus mean and standard deviation: the DATA and STAT worksheets

Sample statistics on returns in Quantitative Methods.

The keys

2NDDATA2NDCLR WORKOpens and clears the data worksheet.
valueENTER↓↓Each X0n; skip the Y0n line for one variable.
2NDSTATOpens the statistics worksheet.
2NDSETuntil 1-VOne-variable statistics.
↓Scroll: n, x̄, Sx (sample) and σx (population).

Worked example

Annual returns of 10%, −5% and 15%. Mean and sample standard deviation?

2NDDATA2NDCLR WORKClear.
10ENTER↓↓X01 = 10.
5+/−ENTER↓↓X02 = −5.
15ENTERX03 = 15.
2NDSTAT↓↓↓n = 3, x̄ = 6.667, Sx = 10.408.
Mean = 6.667%, sample standard deviation = 10.408%

The trap

Sx divides by n − 1 and σx by n. Exam questions on a sample of returns want Sx; σx here would be 8.498.

The terms behind it

  • Standard deviationThe square root of variance, in the same units as the data.
  • VarianceThe average squared deviation from the mean — the standard measure of dispersion.

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