Formula 2 Minimum squared distance weighted by population

Formula 2 depicts the method of selecting the best dissemination block representative point to represent the dissemination area when the point calculated in method one falls outside the dissemination area or falls within a water body. This calculation is called the minimum squared distance weighted by population method. One of two shown equations is used, depending on the population of the dissemination area. The first equation is used when the dissemination area has a population greater than zero. The second equation is used when the dissemination area has a population equal to zero.

In the first equation, the population weighted squared distance is calculated for each dissemination block and the dissemination block with the minimum value is chosen. For each dissemination block, the population weighted squared distance is calculated by measuring the distance between its representative point and the representative points of all other dissemination blocks. Each distance is then squared and further multiplied by the population of the other dissemination blocks. These values are then all summed to create a value for the dissemination block in question.

In the second equation, an unweighted squared distance is calculated for each dissemination block, and the dissemination block with the minimum value is chosen. For each dissemination block, the population weighted squared distance is calculated by measuring the distance between its representative point and the representative points of all other dissemination blocks. Each distance is then squared and these values are all summed to create a value for the dissemination block in question.

Immediately below the two equations is a legend that defines the symbols used in the equations for making the above calculations.

For more information on this figure, please contact Statistics Canada at 1-800-263-1136.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Population.