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Statistical function
STANDARDIZE
Returns a z-score for a value.
Rarely usedDifficulty 1300 · ProficientUsage rank #311 of 520
When to use it
Converts a value to a z-score: how many standard deviations it sits from the mean. Puts different scales on one footing.
The shape of it
- Syntax
=STANDARDIZE(x, mean, standard_dev)
Worked examples
Above the mean
=STANDARDIZE(110,100,15) → 0.666666667
Two thirds of a standard deviation above the mean.
Below the mean
=STANDARDIZE(85,100,15) → -1
One standard deviation below.
At the mean
=STANDARDIZE(100,100,15) → 0
At the mean.
Worth knowing
- Compare a test score and a sales figure by standardizing both.
- Outlier flag: ABS(STANDARDIZE(x,mean,sd))>3.
- Same as (x-mean)/sd written out.
Where it goes wrong
- #NUM! when the standard deviation is 0 or negative.
- Uses whatever mean and sd you pass; compute them from the right population.
Related
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