This guide is intended to teach you how to stipulate the standard deviation of a list of numbers on the TI-84 graphing calculator. You can use the standard deviation to find out how much your data varies from the mean. After entering the data, you can use the option 1-Var Stats to calculate multiple statistical values, including mean, sum, and sample and population standard deviation in a single step.
Steps
Step 1. Press the STAT button on the calculator
It is found in the third column of keys.
Step 2. Select the Edit menu and press ↵ Enter.
This is the first option on the menu. You will see columns (lists) labeled with L1 until L6.
note:
the TI-84 lets you enter up to six different dataset lists.
Step 3. Clear existing data from lists
If there is already data in any of the columns, use the following steps to remove it before proceeding:
- Use arrow keys to navigate to L1 (the first column).
- Press ⎚ Clear.
- Press ↵ Enter.
- Repeat for other lists containing data.
Step 4. Enter the data in column L1
Press ↵ Enter after each insertion.
Step 5. Press the STAT button to return to the menu
Step 6. Press the right arrow to switch to the CALC tab
It is the second menu tab at the top of the screen.
Step 7. Select 1-Var Stats and press ↵ Enter
Step 8. Press the 2ND button
Step 1. to select L1
You only need to do this if you have the T1-84 Plus model and you don't come across L1 just ahead of List.
Some conventional models can bypass this screen and display results automatically
Tip:
if you have created multiple lists and want to select another one, press the number corresponding to that column. If you want the standard deviation for the values entered in L4, for example, press the buttons 2nd and
Step 4
Step 9. Select Calculate and press ↵ Enter.
The TI-84 will now display standard deviation calculations for the set of values.
Step 10. Find the standard deviation value close to Sx or σx
They should be the fourth and fifth results on the list. You may need to scroll down to see both values.
- Sx displays the standard deviation relative to a sample, while σx displays the standard deviation relative to a population. The value used will depend on whether you used the data for one purpose or another.
- A smaller standard deviation value means that the values in the list do not vary as much from the mean, while a larger value indicates that they are more spread out.
- x̄ represents the mean of the values.
- Σx represents the sum of all values.