How to Use the DEVSQ Function

We can use the DEVSQ function to calculate the sum of squares of deviations from the mean value of a data range. The steps below will walk through the process.

Figure 1: How to Use the DEVSQ Function

Syntax

=DEVSQ([number1], [number2], [number2] ...)

Formula

=DEVSQ(A4:A11)

Setting up the Data

• We will set up the data by inputting the MASS into Column A
• We will put the deviation of the values in Column B
• Column C will contain the squared deviation of the values
• Column D contains the average mass
• Cell B13 is where our result with the DEVSQ function will  be returned

Figure 2: Setting up the Data

Using the DEVSQ function

• We will click on Cell B13
• We will insert the formula below into the cell
  =DEVSQ(A4:A11)
• We will press the enter key

Figure 3: Result with the DEVSQ Function

Alternative Long Method

Calculating the Average Mass

• We will click on Cell D4
• We will insert the formula below into the cell
  =AVERAGE(A4:A11)
• We will press the enter key

Figure 4: Average Mass of the Data

Calculating the Deviation

• We will click on Cell B4
• We will insert the formula below into the cell
  =A4-$D$4
• We will press the enter key

Figure 5: Deviation Value for Data in Cell A4

• We will click on Cell B4 again
• We will double-click on the fill handle (the small plus sign at the bottom right of Cell B4) and drag down to copy the formula into the other cells

Figure 6: Deviation Values

Calculating the Squared Deviation

• We will click on Cell C4
• We will insert the formula below into the cell
  =B4^2
• We will press the enter key

Figure 7: Squared Deviation Value for Data in Cell B4

• We will click on Cell C4 again
• We will double-click on the fill handle (the small plus sign at the bottom right of Cell C4) and drag down to copy the formula into the other cells

Figure 8: Squared Deviation Values

• We will sum the squared deviation by inserting the formula below into Cell C12
  =SUM(C4:C11)
• We will press the enter key

Figure 9: Sum of Squared Deviation Values

We can see that the result from the alternative method which is longer is the same with the first method.

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