AVEDEV Function - Calculates the average absolute deviation of data points from their mean in Excel

This article provides a detailed guide on how to use the AVEDEV Function, a formula for calculating the average absolute deviation in Excel.

Description: The function calculates the average absolute deviation between given data points and the mean of the dataset. It serves as a measure of variability in the dataset.

Syntax: AVEDEV(number1, [number2], ...).

In this context:

- number1, number2,..: Are the parameters for calculating the standard deviation, where number1

is a mandatory parameter, and additional parameters are optional, with the number of parameters ranging from 1 to 255.

Note:

- The AVEDEV function depends on the unit of the input data.

- The parameters must be numbers, names, or reference arrays containing numerical values.

- In case the parameter is a logical value or represents a number as text and to avoid errors, it is recommended to type it directly into the list of parameters.

- Referenced parameters containing logical values, text, or empty cells are ignored, but cells with a value of 0 are still considered.

- The equation of the AVEDEV function:

Example:

Assess the evenness of student grades across different subjects based on their subject scores.

In the cell where you want to calculate the absolute deviation between subjects, enter the formula: =AVEDEV(E7:G7).

Press Enter -> the result of the absolute deviation between the three subjects is:

Similarly, copy the formula for the remaining data cells to get results:

Here, the smaller the absolute deviation between subjects, the more evenly the student studies all 3 subjects - math, physics, and chemistry, as seen in the cases of students Hoang and Manh. The larger the absolute deviation, the more unevenly the student studies the subjects, as seen in the case of students Hoang and Van Anh.

The above is the usage and common scenarios of the AVEDEV function.

Wishing you success!