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Is there a bug in the standard deviation statistical function of some HP machines but not in others? Of the HPs I have with the stat function the 12C,15C, and the 42S seem to have the bug. The 25C, 67, and the 32SII do not. Here is the problem:
With the summation key enter in several data and find the standard deviation. Next subtract a datum. Finding the SD now gives an error message.
c
cC
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I don't know if I understand you.
I usually get mean, then sigma+ and get SD. Then mean again, sigma-. If I get SD now, I don't get any error message.
Could you give any example?
Raul
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Think you'll need to give more specifics.
Which mode is the 42s in? LinSUM or ALLSUM?
Did you do a CLEARSUM before entering data?
Which data points did you enter?
Which did you remove?
Maybe these will help us help you.
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For example:
clear sigma+
9 sigma+ see 1
15 sigma+ see 2
11 sigma+ see 3
take std dev see 3.06
11 sigma- see 2
take std dev see Error 2 on the 12C, 15C
Stat Math Error on the 42S
You do not get an error message on the 25C, 67, or 32SII but see the answer: 4.24
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Gene,
See my reply to R. Lion
tm
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You can avoid the problem introducing 0 as y data:
0 enter 9 sigma+ see 1
0 enter 15 sigma+ see 2
0 enter 11 sigma+ see 3
etc... and you'll get the expected answer
Raul
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When you get one of those strange errors, STOre a 0 in regs 5, 6 and 7 (sumy, sumy^2 and sumxy). Then, s will work
Raul
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It happens as you describe on the 41CX, as well, but the reason is simple - it's the data in the Y register. When you get the SDEV result in X, then simply key in 11 and press sigma-, it will have 3.06 in the Y register, which it subtracts from the cumulative stat registers (which will have zero for both sigma Y and sigma(Y^2), from memory).
If you key in a zero before the 11 to be sigma-minussed, or clear the stack, it will work just fine.
Best,
--- Les [http://www.lesbell.com.au]
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Raul Lion,
I don't bother. I use one of the machines that don't have the problem.
tm
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Oh well... then send me your 15c and I'll send you a new 32sII ;-)
Raul
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Raul,
I love 'em all! The 16C didn't even get into the discussion! Now if only I could get my hands on a 34C!
Trent
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Trent --
There is no bug. Les Bell's reply below hit the nail on the head -- not clearing the previous SDEV calculation caused it to be entered as a y-datum deleted from summation for two-variable analysis upon doing the Sigma-minus. SDEV of the y-data was undefined (sqrt of negative number).
The 32Sii did not yield an error because it has separate keystrokes for x-SDEV and y-SDEV, population or sample. The 12C, 15C, and 42S will calculate both sample SDEV's with the same keystroke. The older 25C and 67 might not have two-variable stat analysis built in (I have neither unit).
-- Karl