Following is a sample of tow ratings (in pounds) for some popular 2000 model light trucks:
3,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 7,000, 7,000, 9,000, 9,000

Compute the standard deviation of the given sample. Round your answer to the nearest whole number.

A) $s = 2,211$
B) $s = 6,000$
C) $s = 3,789$
D) $s = 4,422$
E) $s = 8,211$

Question

Following is a sample of tow ratings (in pounds) for some popular 2000 model light trucks:  
3,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 7,000, 7,000, 9,000, 9,000
 
Compute the standard deviation of the given sample. Round your answer to the nearest whole number.
 
A) $s = 2,211$
B) $s = 6,000$
C) $s = 3,789$
D) $s = 4,422$
E) $s = 8,211$

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The standard deviation of the given sample is calculated using the formula for the sample standard deviation. First, find the mean (average) of the sample, then calculate the squared differences from the mean for each data point, sum those squared differences, divide by the number of observations minus one (n-1), and finally take the square root of that result. The correct calculation leads to a standard deviation of approximately 2,211 pounds, rounded to the nearest whole number.

Following Is a Sample of Tow Ratings (In Pounds) for Some