Standard deviation translation property proof - confused with property

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving the property of standard deviation that states $$std(x+c) = std(x)$$. The user initially attempts to use the mean properties, specifically $$mean(x+c) = mean(x) + c$$, but expresses confusion regarding the calculation of variance and standard deviation. Another participant suggests directly substituting the mean into the standard deviation formula, indicating that the proof can be simplified by recognizing that the addition of a constant does not affect the standard deviation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of standard deviation and variance definitions
  • Familiarity with properties of the mean
  • Basic knowledge of mathematical proofs and algebra
  • Experience with statistical notation and formulas
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of variance and standard deviation formulas
  • Learn about the properties of linear transformations in statistics
  • Explore examples of standard deviation calculations with constants
  • Investigate the implications of adding constants to datasets on statistical measures
USEFUL FOR

Students in statistics, data analysts, and anyone interested in understanding the properties of standard deviation and variance in statistical analysis.

lantay77
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I need to prove that $$std(x+c) = std(x)$$

I have been trying to use the properties of the mean such as $$mean(x+c) = mean(x) + c$$

I am confused on the following property of the mean, is this statement correct?

$$\sum\limits_{i=1}^{i=N}(x_i - mean(\{x\}))^2 = mean(\{x\}) \\$$

If that is correct, then by the definition of standard deviation, is the following correct?

$$std(x) = \sqrt{\frac{1}{N}\sum\limits_{i=1}^{i=N}(x_i - mean(\{x\}))^2} = \sqrt{\frac{1}{N}mean(\{x\})} \\$$

This does not seem right to me.

Here is my previous attempt at the proof, I think I am doing something wrong, this is why I am now attempting with the above property.

$$std(\{x + c\}) = \sqrt{mean(\{((x+c) - mean(\{x\}) + c)^2\})}$$
$$= \sqrt{mean(\{(x - mean(\{x\}) + 2c)^2\})}$$
$$= \sqrt{\frac{((x_1 - mean(\{x\}) + 2c))^2) + ((x_2 - mean(\{x\}) + 2c))^2) + ... + ((x_n - mean(\{x\}) + 2c))^2)}{N}}$$

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
lantay77 said:
I need to prove that $$std(x+c) = std(x)$$

I have been trying to use the properties of the mean such as $$mean(x+c) = mean(x) + c$$

Plug that straight into the equation for standard deviation. Doesn't the proof then appear trivial?
 
Simple equation: x_i+c-mean(x+c) = x_i-mean(x).

Plug into the definition of standard deviation to get desired result.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
6K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K