Arrange the data sets with the following pairs of mean and standard deviation in increasing order of their coefficient of variation. Choose the correct answer from the options given below.

1.Mean 50, standard deviation 12

2.Mean 55, standard deviation 10

3.Mean 60, standard deviation 14

4.Mean 70, standard deviation 15

A1, 2, 3, 4

B2, 4, 3, 1 ✓ Correct

C3, 4, 1, 2

D4, 2, 1, 3

Correct answer: (B) 2, 4, 3, 1

Explanation

Ranking by coefficient of variation in increasing order gives datasets 2, 4, 3, 1.

Coefficient of variation equals standard deviation divided by mean, times one hundred.

Dataset 2 with 10 over 55 has the smallest CV of about 18.2 percent.

Dataset 4 with 15 over 70 gives about 21.4 percent.

Dataset 3 with 14 over 60 gives about 23.3 percent, and dataset 1 with 12 over 50 gives 24 percent.

The CV allows fair comparison of dispersion across differing means.

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