Why Standard Deviation is Calculated Differently: Explained

[phoenixthoth]

Why is the standard deviation \sigma =\sqrt{\frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n}\left( \overline{x}-x_{i}\right) ^{2}}{n-1}} and not \sigma =\frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n}\left| \overline{x}-x_{i}\right| }{n} or at least \sigma =\sqrt{\frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n}\left( \overline{x}-x_{i}\right) ^{2}}{n}}?

I suppose that it has something to do with the normal distribution but I'm not sure in what way.

Thanks for the input.

 

[HallsofIvy]

First, the "root-mean-square" is used because it coincides with our usual formula for distance between two points. "standard deviation" is basically a distance measure.
That said, the sum of the absolute values of coordinate differences CAN be used as a distance (as can "max of absolute value of coordinate differences") and can be used as a measure of "standard deviation". Since it's not the usual one, all your formulas (including that form normal distribution would have to be changed and that's a pain.

Secondly, the formula \sigma =\sqrt{\frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n}\left( \overline{x}-x_{i}\right) ^{2}}{n-1}} is for the standard deviation of a SAMPLE from some infinite population.

\sigma =\sqrt{\frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n}\left( \overline{x}-x_{i}\right) ^{2}}{n}} is correct for the standard deviation of a finite population.

There are technical reasons for the "n-1" (it gives an "unbiased estimator") but I like to think of it as just making the "spread" a little larger to reflect the fact that, since we are using a sample, not the entire population, we have more uncertainty.

 

[Hurkyl]

Also, using squares to measure distance, instead of absolute values, tends to be significantly easier to manipulate. It also places the standard deviation (ok, ok, I mean the variance) among a class of things called the moments about the mean, where you use ^k for any positive k, instead of simply ^2.

 

[phoenixthoth]

Thanks for you input. Can you go over what an unbiased estimator is and what maximum likelihood estimators are? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[phoenixthoth]

And also the use of n vs n-1 in the normal distribution too. Like if I wanted to assume data was normally distributed and use z-scores and stuff to make estimates on the probability of data lying within a range why use n or n-1 (and which do I use)... Thanks again.