Since range is based on only two observations, it is not regarded as an ideal measure of dispersion.
A better measure of dispersion is provided by mean- deviation which, unlike range, is based on all the observations.
For a given set of observation, mean-deviation is defined as the arithmetic mean of the absolute deviations of the observations from an appropriate measure of central tendency.
Let the variable 'x' assume 'n' values as given below
Then the mean-deviation of x about an average A is given by
For a grouped frequency distribution, mean-deviation about A is given by
Where, N = ∑f
In most cases we take A as mean or median and accordingly, we get mean-deviation about mean or mean deviation about median.
A relative measure of dispersion applying mean-deviation is given by
Mean-deviation takes its minimum value when the deviations are taken from the median.
Also mean-deviation remains unchanged due to a change of origin but changes in the same ratio due to a change in scale
i.e. if y = a + bx, a and b being constants,
then MD of y = |b| × MD of x
1) Mean-deviation takes its minimum value when the deviations are taken from the median.
2) Mean-deviation remains unchanged due to a change of origin but changes in the same ratio due to a change in scale
i.e. if y = a + bx, a and b being constants,
then MD of y = |b| × MD of x
3) It is rigidly defined
4) It is based on all the observations and not much affected by sampling fluctuations.
5) It is difficult to comprehend and its computation
6) Furthermore, unlike SD, mean-deviation does not possess mathematical properties.
Problem 1 :
What is the mean-deviation about mean for the following numbers?
5, 8, 10, 10, 12, 9
Solution :
The mean is given by
x̄ = (5 + 8 + 10 + 10 + 12 + 9) / 6
x̄ = 54 / 6
x̄ = 9
Thus mean-deviation about mean is given by
∑|x - x̄ | / n = 10 / 6 = 1.67
So, mean-deviation for the given data is 1.67
Problem 2 :
Find mean-deviation about median and also the corresponding coefficient for the following observations.
82, 56, 75, 70, 52, 80, 68
Solution :
The given observations are in ascending order.
Number of observations = 7
Median = (n + 1)/2 th value
Median = (7+1)/2 th value
Median = 8/2 th value
Median = 4th value
Median = 70
Thus mean-deviation about median is given by
∑|x - median| / n = 61 / 7 = 8.71
So, mean-deviation for the given data is 8.71.
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