variance

returns the sample variance of a list of numbers.

# Metadata

Platforms: desktop, server, mobile OS: mac, windows, linux, ios, android Introduced: 6.1 Security:

# Syntax

variance(numbersList)

# Params

- numbersList : A comma-separated list of numbers, or an expression that evaluates to such a list, or an array containing only numbers.

# Examples

variance(8,10,12) -- returns 4

put variance(studentScores) into field "Sample Variance"

# Description

Use the variance function to analyze the amount of spread in a list of numbers.

The variance function was added in version 6.1 to complement the standardDeviation function. The variance is a measure of how widely distributed the numbers in the numbersList are.

If a math operation on finite inputs produces a non-finite output, an execution error is thrown. See math operations for more information.

# Tags

math,

# See

- **control structure:** function - **glossary:** return, math operation - **function:** populationVariance, averageDeviation, variance, average, median, populationStandardDeviation, sum, standardDeviation