For 27 days, the temperature in Fairbanks, Alaska has been below zero. Thus, the mean temperature has been negative. In this situation, the standard deviation must be
A) negative
B) less than zero
C) any value
D) zero and above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The standard deviation measures the amount of variability or spread in a set of data. It cannot be negative or less than zero. In the given situation, the mean temperature is negative, but there could be variability in the temperature readings over the 27 days, resulting in a standard deviation that is greater than or equal to zero. Therefore, the best choice is D, which includes all values greater than or equal to zero for the standard deviation.

For 27 Days, the Temperature in Fairbanks, Alaska Has Been