Data Analysis in Excel

Analysis of Uncertainty

Learning Objectives
Learn to use statistical Excel functions:
average, median, min, max, stdev, var, varp,
standardize, normdist, norminv, normsinv

RAT 9b

General Excel Behavior

- Analyzes the range of cells you

specify
- Skips blank cells

Mean
Sample
1
x
n

Population
n

xi

i 1

Excel
=AVERAGE(cellrange)

x
i 1

Example:
=AVERAGE(B72:B81)

Mode
Value that occurs most often in discretized
data
Excel
=MODE(cellrange)

Example:
=MODE(B2:B81)

If tie, reports first value in list

Median
The middle value in sorted data
Excel
=MEDIAN(cellrange)

Example:
=MEDIAN(D2:D81)

Note: When using this command,

there is no need to sort the data first.

Maximum, Minimum, and

Range
Excel
=MIN(cellrange)
=MAX(cellrange)

Example:
=MIN(D2:D81)
=MAX(D2:D81)

There is no explicit command to find the range.

However, it can be easily calculated.
= MAX(D2:D81) - MIN(D2:D81)

Standard Deviation and

Variance
Population

1
N

Sample

(x

i 1

Variance = 2

n
1
2
s
( xi x )

(n 1) i 1

Variance = s2

Excel
=STDEVP(cellrange)
=VARP(cellrange)

=STDEV(cellrange)
=VAR(cellrange)

Example - Exam Grades

Data set: grades.xls
78 students, 1 did not take exam

Verify the following:

Mean is 79.41
Mode is 79 - occurs 6 times

Median is 79.5

median close to mean suggests no major outliers

Remember, student who did not take exam is not
included in data
More

Example Cont.
Verify
max is 99
min is 60
Range is 99-60 = 39
Population variance is 60.7
Population std. dev. is 7.79

Team Exercise - 15 min

Collect ages (in months) of team
members and members of teams around
you (at least 15 values)
Enter as a column in Excel
Compute mean, mode, median, max, min,
range, sample variance and std. dev.
using Excel commands

Review:
The Normal Distribution
The normal distribution is sometimes called
the Gauss curve.

1
RF
2

1
2
x / 2
e 2

mean

RF
Relative
Frequency

Review:
Standard Normal Distribution
Define:

z x /
Area = 1.00

Then

RF

0.5

1 2
z
e 2

0.4
0.3
0.2

0.1
0.0
-4.0

-3.0

-2.0

-1.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

Z-transform
z x /
Excel
=STANDARDIZE(x,mean,stddev)
Example:

=STANDARDIZE(85,75,10) gives 1.0

Standard Normal
Cumulative Distribution
area from minus
infinity to z

0.5
0.4
0.3

NOT

0.2
0.1
0.0
-4.0

-3.0

-2.0

-1.0

0.0

1.0

Excel
=NORMSDIST(z)

2.0

3.0

4.0

0 to z, like Z-table

Example:
=NORMSDIST(1.0)
=0.8413

Normal Data in Excel

To avoid Z transform, use:
=NORMDIST(x,mean,stddev,true)

Example
=NORMDIST(85,75,10,true)
= 0.8413

Exam Grade Histogram

25

Frequency

20

Actual Scores
Normal Approx

15
10
5
0
50

55

60

65

70

75

80

Score Bins

85

90

95

100

Excel Example
Normal distribution with =5, =0.2
Find area from 4.8 to 5.4
Solution 1:
=STANDARDIZE(4.8,5,0.2) Gives -1
=STANDARDIZE(5.4,5,0.2) Gives 2
=NORMSDIST(2)-NORMSDIST(-1) = 0.8186

Solution 2:
=NORMDIST(5.4,5,0.2,TRUE)NORMDIST(4.8,5,0.2,TRUE) = 0.8186

Inverse Problem
Given , and probability, find x
=NORMINV(prob,mean,stddev)
Given probability, find z
=NORMSINV(prob)
Note: The probability is the area under the
curve from minus infinity to x (or z)

Inverse Problem:
Example 1
A batch of bolts have length =5.00 mm, =0.20
mm.
99% of the bolts are shorter than what length?
Solution 1:
=NORMINV(0.99,5,0.2) gives 5.47 mm

Solution 2:
=NORMSINV(0.99) = 2.33
5.00+0.20*2.33 = 5.47 mm

Inverse Problem:
Example 2
A batch of bolts have length =5.00 mm, =0.20
mm. The bolt length is specified as 5.00 mm
tolerance. What is the value of the tolerance
such that 99% of the bolts are encompassed?

Solution:
=NORMINV(0.995,5,0.2) = 5.52 mm
=NORMINV(0.005,5,0.2) = 4.48 mm
Tolerance = 5.52 - 5.00 = 0.52 mm
Note: It is symmetrical; therefore 0.5% on either side

Bolt Specification
2.5

PDF

2
1.5
1
0.5

99% Area

Tail

Tail

0
4

4.5

5
Length

5.5

Team Exercise
The clock frequency of a batch of Intel
microprocessors was measured to be a normal
distribution with =475 MHz, =50 MHz.
What fraction of processors can be sold in each
category?

>600 MHz
550 - 600 MHz
500 - 550 MHz
450 - 500 MHz

400 - 450 MHz

350 - 400 MHz
< 350 MHz

Think-Pair-Share
In the next 1 minute, as an individual
list three specific things that you dont understand
about todays topic
Now take 2 minutes
to merge your list with the person sitting next to you
AND add 1 new item to the list
In the next 5 minutes
share the results with the other half of your team,
delete questions that you can answer for each other,
AND prioritize the remaining questions your list