MHB Relative Variance: Calories vs Sugar

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The discussion centers on calculating the relative variance between calories and sugar in a product using the coefficient of variation (CV). The calculated CV for calories is 49%, while for sugar, it is 57.77%. This indicates that sugar has a higher relative variance compared to calories, contrary to the initial assumption. A clarification was made regarding the terminology, emphasizing the importance of using "standard deviation" instead of "standard variation." Overall, the conclusion is that the variability in sugar content is greater than that of calories.
evinda
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Hello! (Wave)

Suppose that we calculate the calories and the quantity of sugar at the package of a product. For the calories we have mean value $10$ and standard variation $4,90$. For the quantity of sugar we have corresponding values $5,85$ and $3,38$, respectively. (Use CV). I want to find the relative variance between the calories and the quantity of sugar.

I have thought the following:

$$CV_{\text{cal}}=\frac{4,90}{10} 100%=49%$$
$$CV_{\text{sug}}=\frac{3,38}{5,85} 100%=57,77%$$

So the calories have higher relative variance inrelation to the quantity of sugar.
Am I right? Or have I done something wrong? (Thinking)
 
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evinda said:
Suppose that we calculate the calories and the quantity of sugar at the package of a product. For the calories we have mean value $10$ and standard variation $4,90$. For the quantity of sugar we have corresponding values $5,85$ and $3,38$, respectively. (Use CV). I want to find the relative variance between the calories and the quantity of sugar.

I have thought the following:

$$CV_{\text{cal}}=\frac{4,90}{10} 100%=49%$$
$$CV_{\text{sug}}=\frac{3,38}{5,85} 100%=57,77%$$

So the calories have higher relative variance inrelation to the quantity of sugar.
Am I right? Or have I done something wrong? (Thinking)

Hey evinda!

I'm not aware of anything called 'standard variation'.
Do you mean 'standard deviation', or do you mean 'variance'? 🤔

Either way, CV is based on 'standard deviation', so if that is what you have, it's fine.
Otherwise we need to take the square root first.

It doesn't really matter for the comparison though.
But it's the other way around isn't it?
That is, the relative variability (CV) of the sugar quantity is higher. 🤔
 
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