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264

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6

I've computed the mean & variance of a set of values, and I want to pass along the value that represents the # of std deviations away from mean for each number in the set. Is there a better term for this, or should I just call it num_of_std_devs_from_mean ...

+1  A: 

That is normalizing your values. You could just refer to it as the normalized value. Maybe norm_val would be more appropriate.

dbrien
+4  A: 

The standard deviation is usually denoted with the letter σ (sigma). Personally, I think more people will understand what you mean if you do say number of standard deviations.

As for a variable name, as long as you comment the declaration you could shorten it to std_devs.

etchasketch
+3  A: 

sigma is what you want, I think.

Kevin Little
A: 

I've always heard it as number of standard deviations

mbowcock
+5  A: 

Some suggestions here: Standard score (z-value, z-score, normal score)

but "sigma" or "stdev_distance" would probably be clearer

ckarras
A: 

Deviation may be what you're after. Deviation is the distance between a data point and the mean.

Kevin Haines