odchýlení

Odchýlenie is a term used in Czech and Slovak to denote a departure from a reference point, standard, or expected value. It describes how much something differs from what is regarded as normal, nominal, or planned. The concept appears in many fields, from mathematics and engineering to medicine, geography and social sciences.

In mathematics and statistics, odchýlenie often refers to the difference between a data point and a reference, such as the mean. It is used in measures of dispersion, including absolute deviation and squared deviation; the standard deviation summarizes the spread of values around the mean.

In manufacturing and metrology, odchýlenie denotes a deviation of a produced part from its nominal dimensions. Tolerances specify acceptable deviations; measurements may report positive or negative odchýlenie and contribute to quality control and compliance with specifications.

In navigation and cartography, odchýlenie means a divergence of course or position from a planned route or reference point. Causes include wind, currents, instrument error, or miscalibration of equipment.

In the social sciences and law, odchýlenie can describe deviance from social norms or from legal procedures. It is used in analyses of conformity, social control, and the boundaries of acceptable behavior or practice.

Related concepts include outliers in data analysis, variability in populations, and deviations from procedures or standards in organizational contexts. Odchýlenie as a general idea helps identify how and why systems diverge from intended states.