Back to Topic 6.7 — Descriptive statistics
6.7.2BM15 flashcards

Measures of dispersion

Practice Flashcards

Flip to reveal answers
Card 1 of 156.7.2
6.7.2
Question

Range formula?

Click to reveal answer

Track your progress — Sign up free to save your progress and get smart review reminders based on spaced repetition.

All 15 Flashcards — Measures of dispersion

Sign up free to track progress and get spaced-repetition review schedules.

Card 1definition

Question

Range formula?

Answer

Highest value − Lowest value. Simple but only uses two data points.

💡 Hint

Highest − lowest

Card 2concept

Question

Low dispersion in sales means ___

Answer

Consistent, predictable revenue — easier to plan and budget.

💡 Hint

Predictable + easy to plan

Card 3concept

Question

Range = highest − lowest (simple but ___). SD = average distance from mean (more ___)

Answer

Limited; reliable.

💡 Hint

Limited vs reliable

Card 4concept

Question

High dispersion in sales means ___

Answer

Volatile, unpredictable revenue — harder to forecast and manage cash flow.

💡 Hint

Volatile + hard to forecast

Card 5concept

Question

Low dispersion = consistent. High dispersion = ___

Answer

Variable and risky — harder to predict and manage.

💡 Hint

Variable + risky

Card 6definition

Question

What does standard deviation measure?

Answer

How far each value is from the mean on average — uses ALL data points.

💡 Hint

Average distance from mean

Card 7concept

Question

Low SD means ___; High SD means ___

Answer

Low = data clustered close to mean (consistent). High = data spread widely (variable).

💡 Hint

Clustered vs spread

Card 8concept

Question

Low dispersion in quality means ___

Answer

Consistent products — good for reputation and customer trust.

💡 Hint

Consistent + trust

Card 9concept

Question

You ___ SD in exams, you don't ___ it

Answer

Interpret; calculate.

💡 Hint

Interpret

Card 10concept

Question

Range is limited because ___

Answer

It only uses two values (highest and lowest) — ignores everything in between and distorted by outliers.

💡 Hint

Only 2 values

Card 11example

Question

Two shops: both average $10k/week. Shop A: $9k-$11k. Shop B: $3k-$17k. Which is easier to manage?

Answer

Shop A — low spread means predictable, easier to plan staffing and stock.

💡 Hint

Shop A (low spread)

Card 12concept

Question

Quick: Businesses prefer low dispersion because ___

Answer

It means consistency — easier to plan, budget and maintain quality.

💡 Hint

Consistency

Card 13concept

Question

Businesses prefer ___ dispersion in sales and quality

Answer

Low — consistency is easier to manage and builds customer confidence.

💡 Hint

Low

Card 14concept

Question

Quick: SD uses ___ data points; range uses only ___

Answer

All; two.

💡 Hint

All vs two

Card 15concept

Question

You won't need to ___ SD in the exam — just ___

Answer

Calculate; understand what high or low SD means for the business.

💡 Hint

Interpret, not calculate

Track your progress with spaced repetition

Sign up free — Aimnova tells you exactly which cards to review and when, so you remember everything before your IB exam.

Start Free