Below is the standard deviation for extreme 10k finish times for a randomly selected group of women and men. Chose the statement that best summarizes the meaning of the standard deviation.

womens : s = 0.17 mens : s = 0.21a. On average, men's finish times will be 0.21 hours faster than the overall average finish time.

b. On average, women's finish times will be 0.17 hours less than men's finish times.

c. The distribution of men's finish times is less varied then the distribution of women's finish times.

d. The distribution of women's finish times is less varied then the distribution of men's finish times.

Answer: d. The distribution of women's finish times is less varied then the distribution of men's finish times.

Step-by-step explanation:

Standard deviation:

Measures the spread of data distribution. It cannot be negative. A lesser standard deviation implies the less spread of data or vice versa.

Given : The standard deviation for extreme 10k finish times for a randomly selected group of women and men.

womens' : s = 0.17 mens' : s = 0.21a.

Since women's standard deviation is less than mens' standard deviation.

It means the distribution of women's finish times is less varied then the distribution of men's finish times.

Hence, the correct statement that best summarizes the meaning of the standard deviation here:

d. The distribution of women's finish times is less varied then the distribution of men's finish times.