Coefficient of Variation. The coefficient of variation enables analysts to compare the variability of two data sets that are measured on different scales. The coefficient of variation (CV) itself does not have a unit of measure. Larger values of CV indicate greater variability or spread. The coefficient of variation is given as

Use this measure of variability for Exercises 82 and 83.

Question 3.196

83. Coefficient of Variation for Energy Consumption.

Refer to Table 16 on page 146.

  1. Calculate the coefficient of variation for the per capita energy consumption for each continent.
  2. According to the coefficient of variation, which continent has the greatest spread? Does this agree with your measures of spread from Exercise 76?

3.2.83

Asia: 39.32%, Europe: 16.37%, North America: 79.34% Yes