The `VAR.S` function in Excel is used to calculate the variance of a sample. Variance is a measure of how much the values in a data set deviate from the mean, and it’s commonly used in statistics to understand the variability of a sample.
Here’s how to use the `VAR.S` function in Excel:
Syntax
VAR.S(number1, [number2], ...)
- number1: This is the first number in your sample. It can be a single value, a cell reference, or a range of cells.
- [number2], …: These are additional numbers in your sample (optional). You can input up to 254 additional values or ranges.
Steps to Use VAR.S
- Select a Cell: Click on the cell where you want the result of the variance to appear.
- Enter the Function:
- Begin by typing `=VAR.S(`.
- Then, select the range of cells that contains your sample data. For example, if your data is in the cells `A1` through `A10`, you would type `=VAR.S(A1:A10)`.
- Close the parenthesis by typing `)`.
- Press Enter: Hit the `Enter` key, and the cell you selected will display the result, which is the variance of the sample data.
Example
Suppose you have a dataset in cells `B2:B6` which contains the values 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50. To calculate the variance of this sample, you would place your cursor in the cell where you want the result and input:
=VAR.S(B2:B6)
After pressing `Enter`, you will get the variance of the sample.
Important Notes
- Sample vs. Population: `VAR.S` is specifically for variance of a sample. If you want to calculate the variance of an entire population, use `VAR.P` instead.
- Non-Numeric Values: These will be ignored in the calculation, so make sure your cell range consists of numeric values.
- Error Handling: If non-numeric data or text is entered directly into the function, it will result in a `#VALUE!` error.
By understanding these steps and considerations, you can effectively use the `VAR.S` function to analyze the variance in your sample data.
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