<P> If, for example, the data sets are temperature readings from two different sensors (a Celsius sensor and a Fahrenheit sensor) and you want to know which sensor is better by picking the one with the least variance, then you will be misled if you use CV . The problem here is that you have divided by a relative value rather than an absolute . </P> <P> Comparing the same data set, now in absolute units: </P> <P> Kelvin: (273.15, 283.15, 293.15, 303.15, 313.15) </P> <P> Rankine: (491.67, 509.67, 527.67, 545.67, 563.67) </P>

Coefficient of variation of the probability distribution formula