Sample mean and sample variance

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the unknown data values in a sample set given the sample mean of 104 and sample variance of 4. The known values are 102, 100, and 105, leading to the equation x + y = 213 for the unknowns. The sample variance calculation involves a more complex algebraic expression, ultimately resulting in a fourth-degree polynomial when substituting for x or y. An alternative approach using the formula for variance, \(\sum_i x_i^2/n - (\bar x)^2 = 4\), is suggested to simplify the problem.

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Homework Statement
The sample mean and sample variance of five data values are, respectively, 104 and 4. If three of the data values are 102 100 and 105, what are the other two values?The attempt at a solution
My idea was to get two equations for the two unknowns, let's call them x and y. The equation from the sample mean was easy enough to find.

(102 + 100 + 105 + x + y) / 5 = 104
102 + 100 + 105 + x + y = 520
x + y = 213

The equation obtained from the sample variance is way more difficult because of the algebra. I start off ((102-104)^2 + (100-104)^2 + (105 - 100)^2 + (x-104)^2 + (y-104)^2)/4 = 4. As you can see this will get messy in a hurry, when you substitute for x or y using the sample mean equation it will be a fourth degree polynomial. Is there an easier way to do this?
 
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An alternative equation you can use is \sum_i x_i^2/n-(\bar x)^2 = 4.
 
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