Comprehensive Calculator Guide
This calculator finds the median absolute deviation, the median distance from the median, a robust spread measure that outliers barely move, with its SD equivalent. For 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 40 it is 1, while the SD is 13.7 because of the 40 alone.
A robust measure
Median, unsigned distances, their median. Multiply by 1.4826 to estimate the SD for normal data. Values more than three times that from the median are suspect.
How to Use
- Enter the data.
- No need to sort.
- Press “Calculate” to see the MAD, median and SD equivalent.
Formula Used
MAD = median |x − median| | SD ≈ 1.4826 × MAD
Practical Examples
- Example 1
- With an outlier: 1 vs SD 13.7.
- Example 2
- 1, 1, 2, 2, 4, 6, 9: 1.
Important Tips
- Use it when you suspect outliers.
- A big gap from the SD flags them.
- Say which MAD you mean.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the mean.
- Averaging the distances.
- Comparing without the 1.4826 factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is it?
- The median distance from the median.
- Why 1.4826?
- To match the SD for normal data.
- Vs mean absolute deviation?
- This one ignores outliers.