- Mean
- 5
- Median
- 4.5
- Mode
- 4
- Sample standard deviation
- 2.14
- Sample variance
- 4.57
- Population standard deviation
- 2
- Population variance
- 4
- Count
- 8
- Sum
- 40
- Minimum
- 2
- Maximum
- 9
- Range
- 7
- Sum of squares
- 232
- Geometric mean
- 4.6
How it works
Duplicate rows are not new evidence
Duplicating every row preserves the mean and population standard deviation while doubling the displayed count. It does not create additional independent observations. Check imports for duplicated records before using the summary to describe your dataset.
Preparing data for a statistical summary
Before calculating, make sure the dataset contains comparable observations and that missing entries have not been replaced with zeros unless zero is an actual measurement. The summary describes the list you enter. Compare measures of center with measures of spread to avoid presenting a typical value without context. Descriptive statistics alone do not establish a cause or support a population-wide conclusion.
Dataset summary: formula and assumptions
Mean = Σx / n; population variance = Σ(x − mean)² / n; sample variance uses n − 1.
The mean uses every value. The median is the middle of the sorted dataset. Sample variance corrects for estimating a population from a sample.
Worked example
Using the Dataset summary example:
- Numbers
- 2, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 7, 9
Mean = Σx / n; population variance = Σ(x − mean)² / n; sample variance uses n − 1.
Example result
Mean: 5
Median: 4.5
Mode: 4
Sample standard deviation: 2.14
Sample variance: 4.57
Population standard deviation: 2
Population variance: 4
Count: 8
Sum: 40
Minimum: 2
Maximum: 9
Range: 7
Sum of squares: 232
Geometric mean: 4.6
These are illustrative inputs. Change the values to explore a different scenario.
Formula references
- OpenStax: Algebra and Trigonometry (opens in a new tab)
- NIST statistical methods handbook (opens in a new tab)
References explain the underlying methods; they do not imply endorsement or individual professional review of Finflo.
Common questions
Should I use the sample or population variance?
Use population variance when the list is the full population of interest; use sample variance when estimating spread from a sample.
Do these summary statistics establish that data are normally distributed?
No. Mean, median and standard deviation describe features of a dataset; they do not by themselves demonstrate a normal distribution.
Prepared by Finflo. See our methodology and editorial policy.