A table reporting standard deviation gives you a measure of spread: how widely values vary around their mean. Compare the standard deviations directly to decide which group is more spread out. A shared mean tells you the averages match; it doesn't tell you the tallest height, the median, or whether every height matches.
Hints
- Hint 1
The mean is the average height, while standard deviation describes how much heights vary around that average. Which column tells you about spread, rather than the average?
- Hint 2
A larger standard deviation means heights are more spread out. Compare the two values in that column; matching averages don't mean the groups contain the same heights.
Step-by-step
Compare the reported standard deviations
Step 1Separate the average from the individual heights
No Desmos needed. The table already reports the statistics you need. The mean is the average height. Both groups have a mean of centimeters, so they have the same average, but that doesn't mean every height is the same.
- Step 2
Use standard deviation to compare spread
Standard deviation measures how widely heights vary around their group's mean. The table gives centimeters for A and centimeters for B, and . A larger standard deviation means greater spread, not necessarily a taller tallest person. So Group B's heights had the larger spread. Choice C.