If the standard deviation of a dataset is $0.5$, what is the variance of the data?

• A. $0.5$
• B. $0.25$
• C. $1.5$
• D. $0.0625$

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the relationship between variance and standard deviation: variance is the square of the standard deviation.
2. Express this relationship mathematically as: \(\text{variance} = (\text{standard deviation})^2\).
3. Identify the given standard deviation value, which is 0.5 in this problem.
4. Substitute the given standard deviation into the formula: \(\text{variance} = (0.5)^2\).
5. Calculate the square of 0.5 to find the variance, which completes the solution.