The mean and variance of n observations are 8 and 16, respectively. If the sum of the first (n-1) observations is 48 and the sum of squares of the first (n-1) observations is 496, then the value of n is :
- 21
- 16
- 13
- 7
Answer
(4) 7
Solution
i = 1nxi = 8n, so xn = 8n - 48.
Also 2 = xi2n - x2, so i = 1nxi2 = n(16 + 64) = 80n, hence
496 + (8n - 48)2 = 80n
64n2 - 848n + 2800 = 0 4n2 - 53n + 175 = 0
(n - 7)(4n - 25) = 0 n = 7 or 254
n is a natural number, n = 7.
(Check: x7 = 8 and xi2 = 496 + 64 = 560 = 80 7.)
Answer: (4)