Coefficient of variation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-005508",
  "term": "Coefficient of variation",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A measure of precision, calculated as the standard deviation (s or s) of a set of values divided by the average (Xave or µ), and usually multiplied by 100 to be expressed as a percentage. [COV = RSD = / x 100 for a sample] [COV' = RSD' = / x 100 for a population] See Relative percent difference.\n\n2. A dimensionless measure of dispersion, equal to the standard deviation divided by the mean, often expressed as a percentage.\n\n3. Ratio of the standard deviation (SD) to the arithmetic mean (AM) (CV=SD/AM). Dimensionless measure of the spread of a distribution, therefore, useful for comparing probability density functions (PDFs) for different random variables.\n\n4. A dimensionless measure of dispersion, equal to the standard deviation divided by the mean, often expressed as a percentage. (EPA 2004)\n\n5. The ratio of the standard deviation to the mean. This is meaningful only if the variable is measured on a ratio scale. (Last 1983)",
  "abbreviation": "COV",
  "synonyms": [
    "CV",
    "c.v."
  ],
  "subject": "Health and safety",
  "see_also": [
    "Relative standard deviation"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Radon Glossary of Terms",
    "EPA 2004",
    "EPA Definitions of Terms Relevant to PRA and References for Further Reading at http://www.epa.gov/oswer/riskassessment/rags3adt/pdf/appendixe.pdf",
    "Thesaurus of Terms Used in Microbial Risk Assessment"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/coefficient-of-variation/"
}