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Best Way to Calculate Average of Differences

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    Best Way to Calculate Average of Differences

    I have comparison readings of equipment, so I will take the difference between the two columns. The question is, what is the best way of averaging those differences since I will get positive and negative differences in the comparison readings. For instance:

    A B C (Difference)
    3.4 3.3 0.1
    3.5 3.6 -0.1
    3.7 4.0 -0.3
    3.8 3.8 0.0
    3.5 3.2 0.3

    If you combine all of the differences, the average is 0.0, but if I use the average deviation, it gives me +0.2.

    Any suggestions on the best way of providing the mean deviation?

    Thanks

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    Re: Best Way to Calculate Average of Differences

    Assuming the data is in A1:C5.

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    Re: Best Way to Calculate Average of Differences

    The first question surely is what is the purpose of the statistic you are wanting to derive.

    If by deviation from the mean you mean the standard deviation then

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    Re: Best Way to Calculate Average of Differences

    I don't know if there is a single "best" way to do this, and some of the answer probably depends on the overall nature of your analysis.

    As skywriter suggested, an average of the absolute values of the deviations is one way.

    I think many statisticians often use a root mean square deviation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root-m...uare_deviation (=sqrt(sumxmy2()) in Excel).

    If it is appropriate to the analysis, a correlation coefficient may also be appropriate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearso...on_coefficient (See =pearson() or =correl() or similar functions in Excel).

    If needed you might review the statistical science behind some of these different measures of "average difference" to see what is most appropriate for the analysis you are performing.
    Quote Originally Posted by shg
    Mathematics is the native language of the natural world. Just trying to become literate.

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