Abstract
A SIMPLE graphical method of calculating standard deviations has been described by Dr. B. Woolf1. It is sometimes useful, as a means of estimating short-term variations in a process or product, as distinct from long-term trends, to measure the root-mean-square of the differences between each reading and the next, a quantity which, in the absence of any trends, would be expected to have a value √2 σ. A modification of Woolf's method enables this to be measured even more simply than the standard deviation.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Nature, 164, 360 (1949).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MARRIAGE, A. Rapid Estimation of Standard Deviation. Nature 165, 370 (1950). https://doi.org/10.1038/165370c0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/165370c0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.