Consider a dataset with the following values: 15, 18, 21, 24, 27.

Calculate the sample

standard deviation for this dataset.

Solution:
1. Understand the problem
In finding the standard deviation for this data set, we first need to find the mean
of 15, 18, 21, 24, 27.
2. Devise a plan

μ= 15 + 18 + 21 + 24 + 27 = 105 = 21
5 5

Data point Square of the distance from

the mean l x - μ l2
15
18
21
24
27

3. Carry out the plan

Data point Square of the distance from

the mean l x - μ l2
15 36
18 9
21 0
24 9
27 36

4. Look back
 SD= √ ❑

SD= √ ❑

SD= √ ❑

SD= 4.24

The sample standard deviation for this dataset is 4.24.