Expected Repairs for Leased Computer: Calculating Mean and Standard Deviation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the expected number of repairs and the associated costs for a leased computer and printer over three years. The expected number of repairs per year is calculated to be 0.20, while the standard deviation of repairs is approximately 13.69. The annual service contract cost is derived from the expected repairs, resulting in a mean expense of 106.25 per year. Over the three-year lease, the total expected repairs remain low, with a total expected cost calculated accordingly. The discussion highlights the importance of using proper statistical methods to derive accurate financial expectations.
mutzy188
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Hi I need some help. I don't think I did any of this right.

A small business just leased a new computer and color laser printer for three years. The service contract for the computer offers unlimited repairs for a fee of $100 a year plus a $25 service charge for each repair needed. The company's research suggested that during a given year 86% of these computers needed no repairs, 9% needed to be repaired once, 4% twice, 1% three times, and none required more than three repairs.

1. Find the expected number of repairs this kind of computer is expected to need each year.

100(.86) + 125(.09) + 150(.04) + 175(.01) = 105

2. Find the standard deviation of the number of repairs each year.

.86(100-105)^2 + .09(125-105)^2 + .04(150-105)^2 + .01(175-105)^2 = 187.5
sqrt(187.5) = 13.69

3. What are the mean and standard deviation of the company's annual expense for the service contract?
I have no clue how to do this one.

4. How many times should the company expect to have to get this computer repaired over the three-year term of lease?
None?

5. What is the standard deviation of the number of repairs that may be required during the three-year lease period?
105*3 = 315

Thanks
 
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mutzy188 said:
Hi I need some help. I don't think I did any of this right.

A small business just leased a new computer and color laser printer for three years. The service contract for the computer offers unlimited repairs for a fee of $100 a year plus a $25 service charge for each repair needed. The company's research suggested that during a given year 86% of these computers needed no repairs, 9% needed to be repaired once, 4% twice, 1% three times, and none required more than three repairs.

1. Find the expected number of repairs this kind of computer is expected to need each year.

100(.86) + 125(.09) + 150(.04) + 175(.01) = 105
An answer like 105 should tell you something is wrong.
Use the right information: A computer needs no repairs with a probability of 86%. 1 repair with a prob. of 9%, 2 repairs with 4% and three with 1%.
Find the expectation P(X) from this.

1. Find the expectation of the number of repairs squared: P(X^2).
Then use: \sigma_X^2=P(X^2)-P(X)^2
 
mutzy188 said:
Hi I need some help. I don't think I did any of this right.

A small business just leased a new computer and color laser printer for three years. The service contract for the computer offers unlimited repairs for a fee of $100 a year plus a $25 service charge for each repair needed. The company's research suggested that during a given year 86% of these computers needed no repairs, 9% needed to be repaired once, 4% twice, 1% three times, and none required more than three repairs.

1. Find the expected number of repairs this kind of computer is expected to need each year.
100(.86) + 125(.09) + 150(.04) + 175(.01) = 105
E(X) = μ = (0.86)*(0) + (0.09)*(1) + (0.04)*(2) + (0.01)*(3) = 0.20

2. Find the standard deviation of the number of repairs each year.
.86(100-105)^2 + .09(125-105)^2 + .04(150-105)^2 + .01(175-105)^2 = 187.5
sqrt(187.5) = 13.69
{Variance of X} = σ^2 = E{X^2} - E^2{X}


3. What are the mean and standard deviation of the company's annual expense for the service contract?
I have no clue how to do this one.
{Mean of X} = E{X} = μ
{Variance of X} = E{X^2} - E^2{X} = σ^2
{Yearly Cost} = C = 100 + 25*X
E{C} = E{100 + 25*X} = E{100} + E{25*X} = 100 + 25*E{X} =
= 100 + 25*μ
E{C^2} - E^2{C} = {calculate & collect terms} = (25^2)*σ^2


4. How many times should the company expect to have to get this computer repaired over the three-year term of lease?
None?
{Mean of X} = E{X} = μ
E{X1 + X2 + X3} = E{X1} + E{X2} + E{X3} = 3*μ


5. What is the standard deviation of the number of repairs that may be required during the three-year lease period?
105*3 = 315
{Variance of X} = E{X^2} - E^2{X} = σ^2
{Variance of (X1 + X2 + X3)} =
= E{(X1 + X2 + X3)^2} - E^2{(X1 + X2 + X3)} =
= {calculate & collect terms} = 9*σ^2


Thanks
HINTS GIVEN ABOVE IN RED.
~~
 
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