1. What is Coefficient of Variation?

The Coefficient of Variation (CV) is a standardized measure of dispersion of a probability distribution or frequency distribution. It is often expressed as a percentage and is defined as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Coefficient of Variation formula:

Where:

• \( SD \) — Standard deviation (same units as the mean)
• \( Mean \) — Arithmetic mean of the data set

Explanation: The CV shows the extent of variability in relation to the mean of the population. It's useful for comparing the degree of variation between different data sets.

3. Importance of CV Calculation

Details: The coefficient of variation is particularly useful when you want to compare results from different tests or experiments that have different measurement scales or units.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter standard deviation and mean in the same units. The mean must be greater than zero. The result is expressed as a percentage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When should I use CV instead of standard deviation?
A: Use CV when you need to compare variability between data sets with different units or widely different means.

Q2: What is a good CV value?
A: Generally, a CV < 15% is considered low variability, 15-30% moderate, and >30% high variability, but this depends on the field of study.

Q3: Can CV be negative?
A: No, since standard deviation and mean are always positive in the CV calculation, CV is always non-negative.

Q4: What are the limitations of CV?
A: CV shouldn't be used for interval scales that don't have a true zero point (like temperature in Celsius).

Q5: How is CV different from variance?
A: Variance is the square of standard deviation and isn't normalized by the mean, making it less suitable for comparing different data sets.