What can covariance be used for?

1 Answer
Nov 2, 2015

One use of co-variance is to study the correlation.

Explanation:

When we have sample data relating to two dependent variables, the co-variance becomes relevant.

Co-variance is a measure of the effect of variation between the two variables.
When we have two dependent variables say X and Y, we can study the variation within the values of X - this is #sigma_x^2#
the variation within the values of Y is the variance of y #sigma_y^2#.
The study of the simultaneous variation between X and Y is called COV(X,Y) or #sigma_(xy)#.