Question

Use the range rule of thumb to estimate the standard deviation. Round results to the nearest tenth.

The maximum value of a distribution is 40.8 and the minimum value is 2.4

Group of answer choices

Answer 1

As a rule of thumb we estimate standard deviation of a population by one -fourth of the range of the concerned population.

That is, for a population with range,r = maximum value of a distribution - minimum value of the distribution, the estimated standard deviation is equal to r/4.

Here range, r = 40.8 - 2.4 = 38.4

Thus estimated standard deviation is 38.4/4 = 9.6.

Required answer is 9.6.

(Always remember that this is a rule of thumb and thus the estimate should be used as a very rough estimate)

Hope the solution helps. Thank you.