Standard deviation is one of the most commonly preferred means of measurement of dispersion. It has been widely used and is pivotal to finding the desired results. The use of standard deviation has narrated a lot of swings of thought as many cite it as complex to understand while some categorize it as a much-needed tool.
This debacle has been stepping into the mathematics field for a long. Every narrative in mathematics comes with a complex set of understanding and is known to solve major equations. Standard deviation trades in that boat of being heralded as much needed and also at times being known to be a disadvantage for solving other types of equations.
We here take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of standard deviation and find out the viewpoint behind both sides of the coin.
Advantages of Standard Deviation
Standard deviation as aforementioned is one of the vital tools in mathematical computation and has a lot of advantages. We here take a look at the advantages side specifically before following up with the cons of it down below. Let’s check it out.
1. Most well-known measure of dispersion
Standard deviation is one of the most well-known measures of dispersion in the mathematical field and is used to solve and compute a wide variety of complex issues and situations. The use of standard deviation is part of resolving different skewness and data and is much needed for the right outcome to be delivered.
2. Standard Deviation takes all considerations into measure
Standard deviation unlike other measures takes all the observations and considerations into measurement to deliver the result. It also takes in other measures of dispersion like range which normally isn’t based on observation and hence not part of the other measurement methods.
3. Further capable of treatment
Standard deviation as a formula is further capable of undergoing algebraic treatment. The formula involving squaring of the errors where the numerator part can further be simplified by expanding the square part. This gives it the feature to be able of additional computation and further results deriving.
4. Helps to calculate skewness
Standard deviation is a major tool for calculating the skewness and the kurtosis of the data. This helps to identify and compute the symmetry and the shape of the data giving additional observations to consider for the solution.
5. Standard deviation is unaffected by fluctuations
The way of computing standard deviation makes it an unbiased estimator as it is not affected by any fluctuations occurring in the sampling of the data. As a result, it helps in opaque consideration and computation of the standard deviation of the different data sets.
6. Standard deviation is flexible
For say, you are provided with two data sets and you have to compute the combined deviation of both the data sets. What would you do? There is no other set of mathematical formulas like standard deviation that can give the combined values of different data sets in one. This is why it’s extensively used around.
Disadvantages of Standard Deviation
So we discussed the advantages of the standard deviation above. Now it’s time for the other side of the coin to look at the disadvantages of it. Here are these:
1. Rigid definition
Standard deviation has a much more rigid definition and at times it’s hard to explain to people. It’s not as easy as other mathematical forms and understanding it and putting it to the right use is hard to phantom.
2. Complex in nature
Standard deviation is very complex and is often difficult for a common person to understand. It requires a wide array of understanding and concept clarity to understand it better. This is why standard deviation is always part of the higher education syllabus and isn’t taught in the secondary or below levels. As the formula and its interpretation are varied and at large, it takes a lot of practice to get it right in terms of execution.
3. Standard deviation doesn’t give an exact measure
It is well known that standard deviation doesn’t give the exact measure of the actual distance of the observation points of the mean but the square of the distance of the observation points. This results in a less accurate answer and doesn’t necessarily paint the whole picture.
4. Affected by extreme items or values
Standard deviation computation can be affected if the values or the items are extreme. As much as the computation of standard deviation can answer, if it’s an extreme item or value, the computation is affected and the correct answer cannot be calculated.
5. Requires the use of a calculator
Unlike various mathematical terms and computations which can at times be computed via hand or by memory itself with mathematical computation steps, standard deviation requires the need for a calculator as the complex formulas and the process of calculating squares and its roots cannot be comprehended with just hand or by mind. This is why standard deviation computation is another hectic task for people.
Final words
Standard deviation is one of the advanced mathematical data computations that allows for the computation of data points between two observation points and also the skewness of the data. It is extensively used by many people to calculate advanced equations and more. However, the usage of standard deviation also comes with a few drawbacks at times for the user and we hope this article cleared both aspects of it.
Santosh Kumar is a Professional SEO and Blogger, With the help of this blog he is trying to share top 10 lists, facts, entertainment news from India and all around the world.