A sample of normal RVs - the distribution of Xi-Xbar?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on determining the distribution of the difference between a normal random variable X1 and the sample mean Xbar. It is established that Xbar follows a normal distribution with mean mu and variance sigma^2/n. The key challenge is to find the distribution of X1 - Xbar, which involves analyzing the independent components of the expression. The participants suggest that the variance of this difference is (1 + 1/n)sigma^2, raising questions about its correctness. Ultimately, the focus is on proving the independence of Xbar and Sxx through this distribution analysis.
Phillips101
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We have X1,...,Xn~N(mu, sigma2)

The crux of my problem is finding out the distribution of, say, X1-Xbar (where Xbar is the mean of the n RVs). This is going to end up proving the independence of Xbar and Sxx, btw.

I know Xbar~N(mu, sigma2/n), but I don't know how to find the distribution of a difference of normal RVs with different arguments?

Thanks for any help.
 
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Notice that

<br /> X_1 - \bar X = (1-\frac 1 n) X_1 - \frac 1 n \sum_{i\ge2}X_i<br />

and all of X_1 and X_2, \dots, X_n are independent.

* Get the distribution of

(1 - \frac 1 n) X_1<br />

as well as that of

<br /> \frac 1 n \sum_{n\ge2} X_i<br />

These are independent as well, so find the distribution of their difference.
 
I have Xi-Xbar ~ N(0, (1+1/n)sigma2) ?
 
Are you sure the variance is

<br /> \left(1 + \frac 1 n \right) \sigma^2<br />
 
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