3- 1

Empirical Rule: For any symmetrical, bell-shaped

distribution:

About 68% of the observations will lie within 1s

the mean

About 95% of the observations will lie within 2s of

the mean

Virtually all the observations will be within 3s of

the mean

Interpretation and Uses of the

Standard Deviation
 3- 2

Bell -Shaped Curve showing the relationship between  and .

68%

95%
99.7%
-3 -2 -1  +1 +2 + 3

Interpretation and Uses of the Standard Deviation