New York City Assessor Civil Service Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

After calculating the variance, the next step in finding the standard deviation involves taking the square root of the variance. Variance measures the average of the squared differences from the mean, providing insight into the spread of data points. By taking the square root, you convert the variance back into the original units of measurement, which makes the standard deviation a more interpretable statistic. This connection allows for a more direct understanding of the spread of data in relation to the mean.

In statistical analysis, it is important that we express this measure of variability in the same units as the data being analyzed. This is why calculating the square root of the variance is necessary, as it effectively translates the findings into a more usable format. Therefore, this step is crucial as it completes the process of determining how much individual data points deviate from the average value, thus providing a clearer understanding of the data set's distribution.