The covariance between two variables \( X \) and \( Y \) is a measure of how much they change together. It can be calculated using the following formula:

\[ \text{Cov}(X, Y) = \frac{1}{n} \sum_{i=1}^{n} (X_i - \bar{X})(Y_i - \bar{Y}) \]

where:
- \( X_i \) and \( Y_i \) are the individual data points of the variables \( X \) and \( Y \), respectively.
- \( \bar{X} \) is the mean of the \( X \) values.
- \( \bar{Y} \) is the mean of the \( Y \) values.
- \( n \) is the number of data points.

Alternatively, when working with a sample rather than a full population, the formula is slightly adjusted:

\[ \text{Cov}(X, Y) = \frac{1}{n-1} \sum_{i=1}^{n} (X_i - \bar{X})(Y_i - \bar{Y}) \]

This adjustment (using \( n-1 \) instead of \( n \)) corrects for bias in the estimation of the population covariance from a sample.

Would you like more details or have any questions on this topic?

Here are some related questions you might find useful:
1. How is covariance different from correlation?
2. Can you explain the concept of variance?
3. What are some practical applications of covariance?
4. How do you interpret the sign and magnitude of covariance?
5. What is the relationship between covariance and the covariance matrix?

**Tip:** When interpreting covariance, remember that a positive covariance indicates that the variables tend to increase together, while a negative covariance indicates that one variable tends to increase as the other decreases.

Discover the covariance formula and learn how to calculate covariance between two variables with our detailed guide. This resource explains the covariance formula, its application in statistics, and the difference between population and sample covariance. Ideal for students in Grades 10-12.

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