The Mean Deviation or The Average Deviation The mean deviation is defined as the average of the absolute deviations of the values from an average (e. g. mean or median); the deviations are taken without considering algebraic signs. The mean deviation of a set of n values 𝑿 𝟏 , 𝑿 𝟐 , 𝑿 𝟑 , … , 𝑿 𝒏 , denoted by M. D. is given by 𝒏 𝒊=𝟏 𝒊 𝑴. 𝑫. = 𝟏 𝒏 𝑿 − 𝑿 (ungrouped data) 𝒏 𝑴. 𝑫. = 𝟏 𝒏 𝒇 𝒊 𝑿 𝒊 − 𝑿 (grouped data) 𝒊=𝟏 Where 𝑿 is the mean of the VALUES. The two vertical bars 𝑿 𝒊 − 𝑿 are absolute value symbols. They indicate that one should calculate the difference 𝑿 𝒊 − 𝑿 , ignoring minus signs in case the difference is negative.
Find the mean deviation from the mean for the values 2, 3, 6, 8 and 11. Solution: Here the mean 𝑿 = 2+3+6+11 = 6 5 𝑴. 𝑫. = 𝑿 − 𝑿 𝒏 = 𝟐 − 𝟔 + 𝟑 − 𝟔 + 𝟔 − 𝟔 + 𝟖 − 𝟔 + 𝟏𝟏 − 𝟔 𝟓 = − 𝟒 + − 𝟑 + 𝟎 + 𝟐 + 𝟓 𝟓 = 𝟒 + 𝟑 + 𝟎 + 𝟐 + 𝟓 𝟓 𝟏𝟒 = 𝟓 = 𝟐. 𝟖. Example
Example (Grouped Data) Find mean deviation from mean to the following data. Marks 30 – 39 40 – 49 50 – 59 60 – 69 70 – 79 f 8 87 190 86 20