Finding variance without knowing mean?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating variance without knowing the mean, specifically in a business statistics context. The problem presented involves five data points (n = 5), the sum of squares (\Sigma x^{2} = 1320), and the sum of values (\Sigma x = 80). The variance formula derived is V = 1320 - 160u^{2} + 5u^{2}/5, where u represents the mean. The consensus is that without the mean, a numerical variance cannot be determined, and the answer must remain a function of the mean.

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  • Understanding of variance and its mathematical formula
  • Familiarity with summation notation and its application in statistics
  • Basic knowledge of statistical concepts such as mean and standard deviation
  • Experience with business statistics coursework or similar academic background
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  • Research the derivation of the variance formula in statistics
  • Learn about the implications of missing data points in statistical calculations
  • Explore methods for estimating the mean from sample data
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Students in business statistics, educators teaching statistical concepts, and anyone interested in understanding variance calculations without complete data.

MadMike1986
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Hi,

my girlfriend is taking a business statistics class and she had a test today. she got stumped on a question and wrote it down so she could ask me about it when she got back since I'm pretty good at math. I tried solving it but from what i can tell it seems like you would need to know the mean in order to find the variance. the question is below:

Find the Variance:

n = 5
[tex]\Sigma x^{2}[/tex] = 1320
[tex]\Sigma[/tex]x = 80


I expanded out the variance formula. since we run from i=1 to n (where n=5)
I got the formula V = 1320 - 160[tex]u^{2}[/tex] + 5[tex]u^{2}[/tex][tex]/5[/tex]

where u = the mean.

My girlfriend says that the mean was not specified in the problem. I would have given my answer for the variance as a function of the mean as you can see above, but since this is a business statistics class i have the tendency to believe the teacher is expecting a numerical answer. Does anyone have any insight into how this problem can be solved, or is there not enough information given?

Thank you.
 
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note: in the variance formula that i expanded out, i meant for the entire numerator to be divided by 5. (n=5)
 
crap i just realized that i wasn't supposed to post this under here. i would delete it but i haven't figured out how yet. until i do i apologize.
 

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