Understanding Deviations from the Mean, Clusters, Gaps, and Outliers

Understanding Deviations from the Mean, Clusters, Gaps, and Outliers

Introduction

A data set can contain noticeable patterns and values that differ from the rest. Examining deviations, clusters, gaps, and outliers helps describe how data values are distrib...

During a math puzzle competition, eight students recorded their completion times, as shown here.

The teacher compares the times with the group’s average. She calculates the mean, 12.5 minutes, then uses deviations to measure how far each time is from the mean.

For example, 11 is 1.5 minutes from the mean, while 25 is 12.5 minutes awa...