If I have numbers 3,4,5,6 and a goal of 4
I need to find (3-4)^2, (4-4)^2, (5-4)^2, and (6-4)^2
Then I sum these values
Next I divide by 3 (there are four numbers, so I divide by N-1 (this is for
a sample std dev, for a population deviation divide by N)
Finally I find the square root of the result.
A1 4 (goal)
A2 3 B2 =(A2-$A$1)^2
A3 4 B3 =(A3-$A$1)^2
.....
=SQRT(SUM(B2:B54)/(COUNT(B4:B54)-1))

If you want to avoid the B column, I expect we could come up with a
SUMPRODUCT formula.
Any help?
--
Bernard V Liengme
www.stfx.ca/people/bliengme
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"Victoria" wrote in message
...
I've been asked to determine what the standard deviation is from a goal
for
52 values. I know that technically speaking, standard deviation is from
the
mean however I need to calculate it from the goal. Is there a formula or
string of formulas I can use?
Thank you.
Victoria