Returns the probability associated with an F-test for equality of variances. Determines whether two samples are likely to have come from populations with the same variance.
Sample Usage
FTEST(A1:A5, B1:B5)
FTEST(A1:D3, A5:D7)
Syntax
FTEST(range1, range2)
range1- The first sample of data or group of cells to consider for the F-test.range2- The second sample of data or group of cells to consider for the F-test.
Notes
- Any non-numeric cells in either range are ignored in the calculation.
- You can use
FTESTorF.TESTto perform this function.
See Also
CHITEST: Returns the probability associated with a Pearson’s chi-squared test on the two ranges of data. Determines the likelihood that the observed categorical data is drawn from an expected distribution.
FDIST: Calculates the right-tailed F probability distribution (degree of diversity) for two data sets with given input x. Alternately called Fisher-Snedecor distribution or Snedecor’s F distribution.
FINV: Calculates the inverse of the right-tailed F probability distribution. Also called the Fisher-Snedecor distribution or Snedecor’s F distribution.
TTEST: Returns the probability associated with t-test. Determines whether two samples are likely to have come from the same two underlying populations that have the same mean.
Example
Suppose you want to determine whether exam scores from this semester have a different variability than last semester. Pass the scores from each semester as arguments to FTEST. Because the p-value is high, we can conclude that there is not a significant difference in variability in exam scores.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scores this semester | Scores last semester |
| 2 | 92 | 84 |
| 3 | 75 | 89 |
| 4 | 97 | 87 |
| 5 | 85 | 95 |
| 6 | 87 | 82 |
| 7 | 82 | 71 |
| 8 | 79 | |
| 9 | Solution | Formula |
| 10 | 0.8600520777 | =FTEST(A2:A8, B2:B7) |