Coefficient of Variation

Although the standard deviation can describe the spread of the values
relative to each other in a set, it cannot be used to compare two different
distributions. A better measure is the coefficient of variation which is the
percentage of the standard deviation to the mean.

s
CV = 100
x

Example:

Two Statistics classes A and B were given the same examination. The
students in A averaged 45.6 with a standard deviation of 10.2 while class B had a
mean of 40 with a standard deviation of 8.6. Which class performed better?

To compare the two groups, we compute their respective coefficients of

variation.

10.2
CV A= ( 100 ) =22.37
45.6

8.6
CV B= ( 100 )=21.50
40

Since group B has a lower coefficient of variation, it can be concluded that

their scores are more homogeneous than group A.