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 25, standard deviation 9

2.Mean 40, standard deviation 12

3.Mean 30, standard deviation 10

4.Mean 35, standard deviation 11

A1, 2, 3, 4

B2, 3, 4, 1

C1, 3, 4, 2

D2, 4, 3, 1 ✓ Correct

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

Explanation

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

Coefficient of variation is the standard deviation as a percentage of the mean.

Dataset 2 with 12 over 40 has the smallest CV of 30 percent.

Dataset 4 with 11 over 35 gives about 31.4 percent.

Dataset 3 with 10 over 30 gives about 33.3 percent, and dataset 1 with 9 over 25 gives 36 percent.

A lower CV indicates greater relative consistency in the data.

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