Collecting and Processing Information

Data

Information used in the Engineering Design Process to optimize designs and improve efficiency during production.

Statistics

The collection, organization, analysis, and presentation of data, often evaluated using computer software like Microsoft Excel.

Mean

The average of a given data set, calculated by summing all the numbers and dividing by the total number of variables.

Median

The middle number in an ordered data set, or the average of the two center numbers if the data set has an even number of values.

Mode

The most frequently occurring number in a given data set.

Standard Deviation

A measure of the variability of individual data points from the mean, calculated by finding the square root of the average of the squared differences between each data point and the mean.

Range

The difference between the largest and smallest values in a data set, representing the distribution of the data.

Tolerance

The amount a characteristic can vary without compromising the overall function or design of a product.

Upper Specification Limit

The highest acceptable deviation or value for a characteristic.

Lower Specification Limit

The lowest acceptable deviation or value for a characteristic.