Comparing z-scores
To illustrate the utility of z-scores, let's now look at some housing data, in which the two columns - Bedrooms and Square Feet - are measured very differently.
The z-scores for the "Bedroom" column have already been calculated for you. In this exercise, you will calculate z-scores for the "Square Feet" column using the STANDARDIZE() function. After that, you will use SUM() and AVERAGE() to compare how the distributions are now on the same scale.
As a reminder, the z-score measures how far a value is from the mean using standard deviations.
This exercise is part of the course
Introduction to Statistics in Google Sheets
Exercise instructions
- In cell
I2, usingSTANDARDIZE(), pass in the Square Feet ofB2, then the mean at$E$3and finally theSTDEVP()in$F$3. Drag this formula all the way down to get the entire vector. Remember those$signs! - In cells
L2andL3, useSUM()to add up the standardized values in columnsHandI, respectively. - In cells
M2andM3, calculate the mean of the standardized values in columnsHandI. Compare the results of the scaled columns.
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