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JEE Main 2018
Statistics & Probability
Statistics
Hard

Question

If i=19(xi5)=9\sum\limits_{i = 1}^9 {\left( {{x_i} - 5} \right)} = 9 and i=19(xi5)2=45\sum\limits_{i = 1}^9 {{{\left( {{x_i} - 5} \right)}^2}} = 45, then the standard deviation of the 9 items x1,x2,.......,x9{x_1},{x_2},.......,{x_9} is

Options

Solution

Here's a clear, educational, and well-structured solution to the problem:


Key Concepts and Formulas

  1. Standard Deviation (S.D.): The standard deviation (σ\sigma) measures the dispersion of a dataset around its mean. It is the square root of the variance. For a set of nn observations x1,x2,,xnx_1, x_2, \dots, x_n, the variance (σ2\sigma^2) is given by: σ2=1ni=1n(xixˉ)2\sigma^2 = \frac{1}{n} \sum_{i=1}^n (x_i - \bar{x})^2 where xˉ=1ni=1nxi\bar{x} = \frac{1}{n} \sum_{i=1}^n x_i is the mean of the data. The standard deviation is σ=σ2\sigma = \sqrt{\sigma^2}.

  2. Alternative Formula for Variance: This formula is often more convenient for calculations, especially when sums of xix_i and xi2x_i^2 are known or easily derivable: σ2=1ni=1nxi2(xˉ)2\sigma^2 = \frac{1}{n} \sum_{i=1}^n x_i^2 - (\bar{x})^2 This can be concisely written as σ2=x2(xˉ)2\sigma^2 = \overline{x^2} - (\bar{x})^2, where x2\overline{x^2} is the mean of the squares of the observations.

  3. Property of Standard Deviation under Change of Origin (Translation): If a constant value 'AA' is added to or subtracted from each observation in a dataset, the standard deviation of the dataset remains unchanged. That is, if a new variable yi=xiAy_i = x_i - A (or yi=xi+Ay_i = x_i + A) is defined, then the standard deviation of yiy_i is the same as the standard deviation of xix_i. S.D.(xi)=S.D.(yi)\text{S.D.}(x_i) = \text{S.D.}(y_i) This property is fundamental for simplifying this problem.


Step-by-Step Solution

1. Understand the Goal and Analyze Given Information

  • We are given information about a dataset of n=9n=9 items, x1,x2,,x9x_1, x_2, \dots, x_9.
  • We have two sums:
    • i=19(xi5)=9\sum\limits_{i = 1}^9 {\left( {{x_i} - 5} \right)} = 9
    • i=19(xi5)2=45\sum\limits_{i = 1}^9 {{{\left( {{x_i} - 5} \right)}^2}} = 45
  • Our objective is to calculate the standard deviation of the original items x1,x2,,x9x_1, x_2, \dots, x_9.

2. Simplify the Problem using a Change of Origin

  • What we are doing: We introduce a new variable yiy_i by transforming the original variable xix_i.
  • Why this step: Both given sums involve the term (xi5)(x_i - 5). This structure directly points to using the property of standard deviation under a change of origin. By defining yi=xi5y_i = x_i - 5, we simplify the expressions we need to work with, making calculations much more manageable. Moreover, the standard deviation of yiy_i will be identical to that of xix_i.
  • Let yi=xi5y_i = x_i - 5.
  • Now, we can rewrite the given sums in terms of yiy_i: i=19yi=9\sum\limits_{i = 1}^9 {y_i} = 9 i=19yi2=45\sum\limits_{i = 1}^9 {{y_i}^2} = 45

3. Calculate the Mean of the Transformed Data (yiy_i)

  • What we are doing: We calculate the arithmetic mean of the new dataset yiy_i.
  • Why this step: The mean of yiy_i (yˉ\bar{y}) is a necessary component for calculating the variance of yiy_i using the alternative formula.
  • The mean of yiy_i is given by: yˉ=i=1nyin\bar{y} = \frac{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^n {y_i}}{n}
  • Substitute the values: n=9n=9 and yi=9\sum y_i = 9: yˉ=99\bar{y} = \frac{9}{9} yˉ=1\bar{y} = 1

4. Calculate the Variance of the Transformed Data (yiy_i)

  • What we are doing: We calculate the variance of the transformed dataset yiy_i.
  • Why this step: The standard deviation is the square root of the variance. We use the alternative formula for variance because we have readily available values for yi2\sum y_i^2 and yˉ\bar{y}.
  • Using the alternative formula for variance: σy2=1ni=1nyi2(yˉ)2\sigma_y^2 = \frac{1}{n} \sum_{i=1}^n y_i^2 - (\bar{y})^2
  • Substitute the known values: n=9n=9, yi2=45\sum y_i^2 = 45, and yˉ=1\bar{y} = 1: σy2=459(1)2\sigma_y^2 = \frac{45}{9} - (1)^2 σy2=51\sigma_y^2 = 5 - 1 σy2=4\sigma_y^2 = 4

5. Calculate the Standard Deviation of the Transformed Data (yiy_i)

  • What we are doing: We find the standard deviation of yiy_i by taking the square root of its variance.
  • Why this step: This brings us closer to our final answer, as S.D.y_y is directly related to S.D.x_x.
  • The standard deviation of yiy_i is: S.D.y=σy2\text{S.D.}_y = \sqrt{\sigma_y^2} S.D.y=4\text{S.D.}_y = \sqrt{4} S.D.y=2\text{S.D.}_y = 2 (Note: Standard deviation is always non-negative).

6. Relate Back to the Original Data (xix_i)

  • What we are doing: We apply the property of standard deviation under a change of origin to find the standard deviation of xix_i.
  • Why this step: This is the final and crucial step that connects our calculations for the transformed data back to the original question about xix_i. It avoids the need to calculate xˉ\bar{x} and xi2\sum x_i^2 directly, which would be more cumbersome.
  • Since yi=xi5y_i = x_i - 5, and standard deviation is invariant under a change of origin (addition or subtraction of a constant), the standard deviation of xix_i is the same as the standard deviation of yiy_i. S.D.x=S.D.y\text{S.D.}_{x} = \text{S.D.}_{y}
  • Therefore, S.D.x=2\text{S.D.}_{x} = 2

Common Mistakes & Tips

  • Misapplying Variance Formulas: Ensure you use the correct formula for variance. A common error is using xi2(xi)2\sum x_i^2 - (\sum x_i)^2 instead of 1nxi2(1nxi)2\frac{1}{n} \sum x_i^2 - (\frac{1}{n} \sum x_i)^2.
  • Forgetting the Square Root: Remember that variance is σ2\sigma^2, and standard deviation is σ=σ2\sigma = \sqrt{\sigma^2}. Don't forget to take the square root at the end.
  • Ignoring the Change of Origin Property: This property is a huge time-saver. Trying to calculate xˉ\bar{x} and xi2\sum x_i^2 directly from the given sums would be much more involved and prone to errors.
  • Misinterpreting "n-1" vs "n": For JEE, unless specified as "sample standard deviation", always use 'n' in the denominator for variance and standard deviation calculations.

Summary

This problem effectively tests the understanding of standard deviation calculation and, more importantly, the property of standard deviation remaining invariant under a change of origin. By introducing a transformed variable yi=xi5y_i = x_i - 5, we simplified the given sums to yi=9\sum y_i = 9 and yi2=45\sum y_i^2 = 45. We then calculated the mean of yiy_i as yˉ=1\bar{y}=1. Using the alternative variance formula, σy2=1nyi2(yˉ)2\sigma_y^2 = \frac{1}{n} \sum y_i^2 - (\bar{y})^2, we found σy2=4\sigma_y^2 = 4. Taking the square root, S.D.y=2_y = 2. Due to the change of origin property, S.D.x_x is equal to S.D.y_y.

The final answer is 2\boxed{2}, which corresponds to option (D).

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