Question:

Consider the statistics of two sets of observations as follows :
SizeMeanVariance
Observation I1022
Observation IIn31

If the variance of the combined set of these two observations is \(\frac{17}{9}\), then the value of n is equal to ___________.

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Use the combined-variance formula \(\sigma^2=\frac{n_1\sigma_1^2+n_2\sigma_2^2}{n_1+n_2}+\frac{n_1n_2(\bar x_1-\bar x_2)^2}{(n_1+n_2)^2}\).
Updated On: Nov 4, 2026
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Correct Answer: 5

Solution and Explanation

Combined size \(N=10+n\).
\(\sigma^2=\frac{10\cdot2+n\cdot1}{10+n}+\frac{10n(2-3)^2}{(10+n)^2}=\frac{20+n}{10+n}+\frac{10n}{(10+n)^2}=\frac{17}{9}\).
Multiply by \(9(10+n)^2\): \(9(20+n)(10+n)+90n=17(10+n)^2\).
\(1800+270n+9n^2+90n=1700+340n+17n^2\Rightarrow8n^2-20n-100=0\Rightarrow2n^2-5n-25=0\).
\((2n+5)(n-5)=0\Rightarrow n=5\) (n positive).
Answer: 5
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