# Standard Deviation of a sample of a population's means

1. Dec 11, 2008

### 2^Oscar

Hey guys,

Just a question which has been puzzling me for some time.

I am told that means of samples of a population can be normally distributed with mean of $$\mu$$ and with standard deviation of $$\sigma$$/$$\sqrt{}$$n

Can someone please explain to me how the standard deviation is derived or is it ismply as a result of experimentation?

Thanks,
Oscar

2. Dec 11, 2008

### ssd

It is derived. The given result follows if the population is normal.

3. Dec 11, 2008

### statdad

The mean is

$$\overline X = \frac{\sum X}{n}$$

If all of the $$X$$ variables are independent, and identically distributed, then

$$Var[X] = Var\left(\frac{\sum X}n\right) = \frac 1 {n^2} \sum Var(X) = \frac{n\sigma^2}{n^2} = \frac{\sigma} n$$

so the standard deviation is as you state.

If the $$X$$ values are themselves normally distributed, then the mean is as well (linear combinations of normally distributed normal random variables are normal)

If the $$X$$ values are not normally distributed, the distribution of $$\overline X$$ is approximately normal if certain conditions are satisfied.

4. Dec 12, 2008

### stewartcs

You forgot the root in the denominator.

CS

5. Dec 12, 2008

### statdad

No, actually I forgot the square in the numerator, since I was writing out the variance.
Still a stupid mistake on my part.

The variance is

$$\frac{\sigma^2} n$$

so the standard deviation is

$$\frac{\sigma}{\sqrt n}$$

6. Dec 12, 2008

### stewartcs

Sorry...it appeared as if you were answering the OP's question about the standard deviation directly which is why I assumed you had finished the derivation all the way out to the standard deviation and not just the variance.

CS

7. Dec 12, 2008

### statdad

stewartcs; there is no need for you to apologize and I certainly did not mean to imply (in my earlier post) that there was. I am sorry if it seemed that way.

8. Dec 13, 2008

### 2^Oscar

Hey guys,

Thanks very much for showing me the derivation - it has helped make things a lot clearer :)

Thanks again,

Oscar

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