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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from Braden: When determining coefficient of variation (CV) or %CV is it possible to calculate %CV for two variables? For instance can %CV be used to determine the precision of 5 data points on a graph using the X and Y coordinates? or does %CV need to be determined for each variable separately? |
Braden,
As both mean and spread are in some sense vectors, which can only be divided componentwise, separate calculation is needed.
However, for advanced work, it could be useful to do a principal-components analysis, finding new perpendicular axes such that the first axis explains as much of the variation as possible [the "long axis of the blob of data"] and use componentwise coefficients of variation on those instead.
Good Hunting!
RD
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