Practice Mean Absolute Deviation in Math

Use these practice problems to test your method after reviewing the concept explanation and worked examples.

Quick Recap

The average distance between each data value and the mean of the data set. Calculated by finding the mean, computing the absolute value of each deviation from the mean, and averaging those absolute deviations.

Standard deviation can feel abstract with its squaring and square roots. MAD is simpler: just ask 'on average, how far is each data point from the center?' If the mean test score is 80 and the MAD is 5, a typical student scored about 5 points away from 80—some above, some below.

Example 1

easy
Calculate the Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) for \{2, 5, 7, 10, 6\} and explain what it measures.

Example 2

medium
Compare MAD and standard deviation for the data \{1, 5, 5, 5, 9\}. Calculate both and explain when MAD is preferred.

Example 3

easy
Calculate MAD for daily temperatures (°F): \{68, 72, 65, 75, 70\}.

Example 4

hard
Data set A: \{4, 5, 5, 6\} and Data set B: \{1, 5, 5, 9\}. Both have mean 5. Calculate MAD for each and explain which has greater variability and why.
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