1. What is the 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 CV formula:

Where:

• \( \sigma \) — Standard deviation
• \( \mu \) — Mean

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: CV is particularly useful when comparing results from different tests or experiments with different units or widely different means. It's commonly used in analytical chemistry, quality control, and investment analysis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter standard deviation and mean values in the same units. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a high CV indicate?
A: A high CV indicates greater variability relative to the mean, while a low CV indicates less variability relative to the mean.

Q2: When is CV most useful?
A: CV is most useful when comparing variability across variables measured in different units or with different means.

Q3: What are typical CV values?
A: In analytical chemistry, CV < 5% is generally considered good precision. In biological systems, CVs are often higher (10-20%).

Q4: What are limitations of CV?
A: CV should not be used when the mean is close to zero (as CV becomes very sensitive to small changes) or for interval scales that don't have a true zero.

Q5: How does CV compare to standard deviation?
A: While standard deviation measures absolute variability, CV measures relative variability, making it unitless and suitable for comparison across different scales.