Calculating Standard Deviation with a TI-84 Plus

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<h3>Calculating Standard Deviation with a TI-84 Plus</h3>

In statistics, standard deviation is the square root of the variance. It provides a way of showing how data varies or how it is spread out in a distribution. Standard deviation tells you how much of the data lies within a certain area. Standard deviation can be tricky to calculate by hand, as it requires multiple steps. The TI 84 Plus graphing calculator eliminates those steps and calculates standard deviation with just a few keystrokes.

1. Select the Catalog

Click on the “2nd” key and then click on “0.” This selects the catalog.



2. Scroll to Letter S

Press the “LN” button to scroll through the catalog to the letter “s.”

3. Scroll to srdDev(

Press the “down arrow” key to scroll until you reach “stdDev(.” Press “Enter.”

4. Complete Statement

Complete the statement with an open curly bracket – the “{” sign – and the numbers for which you want to find the standard deviation, followed by a closing curly bracket and closing parenthesis. For example: stdDev({1,2,3,4,5,6}).

5. Press Enter

Press the “Enter” key. The calculator returns the standard deviation for the entered numbers.



TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

If you get an error, make sure you entered both sets of brackets to get your answer. This part is commonly overlooked.

Dave Pennells

By Dave Pennells

Dave Pennells, MS, has contributed his expertise as a career consultant and training specialist across various fields for over 15 years. At City University of Seattle, he offers personal career counseling and conducts workshops focused on practical job search techniques, resume creation, and interview skills. With a Master of Science in Counseling, Pennells specializes in career consulting, conducting career assessments, guiding career transitions, and providing outplacement services. Her professional experience spans multiple sectors, including banking, retail, airlines, non-profit organizations, and the aerospace industry. Additionally, since 2001, he has been actively involved with the Career Development Association of Australia.