variance n
1. an event that departs from expectations [syn: discrepancy, variant]
2. discord that splits a group [syn: division]
3. the second moment around the mean; the expected value of the square of the deviations of a random variable from its mean value
4. a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions; "a growing divergence of opinion" [syn: discrepancy, disagreement, divergence]
5. the quality of being subject to variation [syn: variability, variableness] [ant: invariability, invariability]
6. an activity that varies from a norm or standard; "any variation in his routine was immediately reported" [syn: variation]

Variance \Va"ri*ance\, n. [L. variantia.]
1. The quality or state of being variant; change of condition; variation.
2. Difference that produce dispute or controversy; disagreement; dissension; discord; dispute; quarrel. That which is the strength of their amity shall prove the immediate author of their variance. --Shak.
3. (Law) A disagreement or difference between two parts of the same legal proceeding, which, to be effectual, ought to agree, -- as between the writ and the declaration, or between the allegation and the proof. --Bouvier. A variance, in disagreement; in a state of dissension or controversy; at enmity. ``What cause brought him so soon at variance with himself?'' --Milton.

See more meaning on Variance...

In probability theory and statistics, the variance is used as one of several descriptors of a distribution. It describes how far values lie from the mean. In particular, the variance is one of the moments of a distribution. In that context, it forms part of systematic approach to distinguishing between probability distributions. While other such approaches have been developed, those based on moments are advantageous in terms of mathematical and computational simplicity.

The variance is a parameter describing a theoretical probability distribution, while a sample of data from such a distribution can be used to construct an estimate of this variance: in the simplest cases this estimate can be the sample variance.

The variance of a random variable or distribution is the expectation, or mean, of the squared deviation of that variable from its expected value or mean. Thus the variance is a measure of the amount of variation within the values of that variable, taking account of all possible values and their probabilities or weightings (not just the extremes which give the range). For example, a perfect die, when thrown, has expected value (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6)/6 = 3.5, expected absolute deviation 1.5 (the mean of the equally likely absolute deviations (3.5 − 1, 3.5 − 2, 3.5 − 3, 4 − 3.5, 5 − 3.5, 6 − 3.5), giving (2.5, 1.5, 0.5, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5), but expected square deviation or variance of 17.5/6 ≈ 2.9 (the mean of the equally likely squared deviations 2.52, 1.52, 0.52, 0.52, 1.52, 2.52).

• UgMO Technologies Smart Irrigation System Now Eligible For Restricted Watering Day Variance From SWFWMD And SFWMD - Yahoo Finance
  KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 12th, 2012, UgMO Technologies' wireless soil moisture sensor system became eligible for a variance from watering day restrictions from South West Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). Read more on this news related to 'Variance'
• Whittier City Council to consider patio roof variance request - Whittier Daily News
  WHITTIER - The City Council at its 6:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday will decide whether Armando Ybarra can keep his patio roof that is too close to a neighbor. The Planning Commission on April 2 denied Ybarra's request for a variance but on April 27 ... Read more on this news related to 'Variance'
• Make A Variance As A Health related Workplace Assistant - 1UP.COM
  A health-related business office assistant course prepares you to be wholly capable to operate in a hands-on administrative and clinical support capability in pretty much any health industry. These professional medical office assistants require part in a ... Read more on this news related to 'Variance'