Calculating error on averages with uncertainties in meas.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the average and net uncertainty of three measurements with individual uncertainties: M1 = 10 ± 1, M2 = 9 ± 2, and M3 = 11 ± 3. The uncertainty of the mean is derived using the formula (Range)/(2*√N), resulting in an uncertainty of 1/√3. However, to accurately propagate the uncertainties from each measurement, the discussion suggests using a weighted average approach based on the reliability of each measurement, addressing the concept of heteroscedasticity. The proposed total error calculation combines both the mean uncertainty and the propagated uncertainty from individual measurements.

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Adoniram
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Let's say I take 3 measurements, and each measurement has its own uncertainty:

M1 = 10 ± 1
M2 = 9 ± 2
M3 = 11 ± 3

I want to quote the average, and the net uncertainty. I understand that the uncertainty of the mean is:
(Range)/(2*√N) where there are N measurements. So:
(11 - 9)/(2*√3) = 1/√3
which is taken from a textbook I have that explains the use of the extra "2" for small measurement sets.

However, this does not propagate the uncertainty of each measurement... Since the average is a sum of each measurement (over 3), I would think the propagated uncertainty would be:
δMavg = √(δM12+δM22+δM22)/3
or
δMavg = √(14)/3

So... is my total error:
δMerr = (1/√3) + √(14)/3 ≈ 1.82
?

Any help is appreciated!
 
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This is an example of heteroscedasticity (q.v.).
The measurements should be weighted according to reliability in order to find the mean.
A crude way is to replicate them in inverse proportion to the error range, so you could average 6 copies of M1, 3 of M2 and one of M3.
 

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