Consider the dataset of the summertime temperatures in different American states. By calculating the standard deviation of the dataset, one can estimate the spread or deviation of each of these values from the mean. Since this dataset represents a sample drawn from a larger population, the formula for the sample standard deviation is used. Begin by computing the mean of the data values, denoted as x bar. Then, subtract the mean from each sample data value, x. These resulting values are known as deviations. Square each of these deviations and add them. Next, divide this sum of the squares by the sample size, n minus one. In this case, since the sample size is 5, the denominator is five minus one, four. Lastly, find the square root of this value, which can be rounded off to 4.0 for convenience. Thus, the calculated standard deviation of the summertime temperatures is four degrees Celsius.