Final Answer:
An F ratio of 5 indicates that the variance between the groups is statistically significant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The F ratio is a measure used in analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess whether the variances between multiple groups are significantly different.
In the context of ANOVA, a higher F ratio suggests greater variability between group means compared to within groups.
In this case, an F ratio of 5 implies that the variance between groups is five times larger than the variance within groups.
To interpret the significance of the F ratio, researchers typically compare it to a critical value based on the chosen level of significance (usually 0.05).
If the calculated F ratio exceeds the critical value, it suggests that the differences between group means are not due to random chance alone, indicating statistical significance.
In practical terms, a significant F ratio means that there are meaningful differences among the groups being compared.
This could be important in various fields, such as experimental research, where it might indicate that different conditions or treatments lead to distinct outcomes.
Overall, the F ratio is a valuable tool in statistical analysis, providing insights into the variability between and within groups and aiding researchers in drawing meaningful conclusions from their data.