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Single-Variable Statistics

on the TI-89



In many experimental situations, it will be very handy to know the mean and standard deviation (and perhaps other things...) about a group of measurements or calculations. This is easy to do on the TI-89 - here's how:

Suppose we have the following five data values: 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4. There is more that one way to get statistics on these data values using the TI-89; Here is one easy way:

First, enter the data values into a data variable. To do this, press Apps key6 key to start the Data/Matrix Editor. Press the right arrow to open the submenu, and select "3: New". (Note: If you have already created a data variable, you can reuse it by selecting "1: Current" or "2: Open".)

The Applications Menu

Scroll down to the "Variable:" input box, and type a name for the data variable. I have named my data variable "temp". Note:

  • You don't have to press alpha key - just type.
  • If you use a single-character name, it will be erased when you do a "NewProb". This may or may not be a bad thing, depending on whether you need to save the data.

In any case, when you have typed the name, press enter key.

New Dialog

Type the values into the "c1" column. Press enter key after each value. The screen shot at right shows the screen after the values "3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4" have been entered.

data/matrix screen

Press F5 key (F5: Calculate) to open the Calculate dialog. Select "OneVar" as the Calculation Type, and enter "c1" in the "x........" input box. Press Enter key.

main/temp Calculate dialog

On the first line, x bar is the mean of the data values. The fourth line, Sx, is the standard deviation.

stat vars dialog



last update August 8, 2004 by JL Stanbrough