How do I find a variance for a set of numbers {1,16,8,17,12}

I got that variance-34.2, but I'm unsure. Any help? Thanks.

5 answers

look at his page.

http://davidmlane.com/hyperstat/A16252.html
I looked at that page and did my problem according to the example, but the answer I got wasn't even a choice. Can you help al ittle more please?
did you get a mean of 10.8 ?

My squared differences were:
96.04, 27.04,7.84,38.44,1.44

that sum/5 = 34.16 which is the variance^2
so the variance = √34.16 = 5.845

notice that there is difference in the calculation depending on whether you divide by N or N-1.
Your text or your course should tell you which method to use.
No. I thought mean was adding up the numbers and then dividing by how many numbers.
So .51+.44+.04+.01=1 divided by 4=.25
(1 + 16 + 8 + 17 + 12)/5 = 10.8

mmmmh?

where did you get your numbers from ????