Without price volatility, there is no market -- i.e., prices are static. Volatility is a key characteristic of asset markets (stocks, bonds, commodities, etc.) and even more so of derivatives markets (futures, forwards, options, swaps, etc.).
Because they are often unconcerned with the notion of intrinsic fundamental value, traders are very focused on volatility. The following article will begin by explaining the concepts of spot and strip prices before explaining how to calculate volatility on each of those prices.