What is the notation for the standard deviation of a population?

The notation for the standard deviation of a population is represented by the Greek letter sigma, denoted as σ. This is a standard convention in statistics, where σ specifically indicates the spread or dispersion of a set of values in a complete population. Understanding this notation is vital because it distinguishes between the standard deviation of a population and that of a sample, which is represented by the letter s.

Other notations mentioned serve different purposes: μ signifies the mean of a population, while λ typically represents the rate parameter of a Poisson distribution. Thus, recognizing σ as the correct notation for the standard deviation of a population is essential for correctly interpreting statistical formulas and concepts.