A sample of the personnel files of eight male employees revealed that, during a six-month period, they were absent the following number of days: 2, 0, 6, 3, 10, 4, 1, and 2. What is the mean deviation (in days)?
A)1
B)0
C)3.125
D)2.375

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mean (average) number of days absent is calculated first: (2 + 0 + 6 + 3 + 10 + 4 + 1 + 2) / 8 = 28 / 8 = 3.5 days. Then, to find the mean deviation, calculate the absolute difference of each value from the mean and find their average: |2-3.5| + |0-3.5| + |6-3.5| + |3-3.5| + |10-3.5| + |4-3.5| + |1-3.5| + |2-3.5| = 1.5 + 3.5 + 2.5 + 0.5 + 6.5 + 0.5 + 2.5 + 1.5 = 19 / 8 = 2.375 days.

A Sample of the Personnel Files of Eight Male Employees