Question

The mean and standard deviation of 20 observations are found to be 10 and 2, respectively. On rechecking, it was found that an observation 8 was incorrect. Calculate the correct mean and standard deviation in each of the following cases:

(i) If wrong item is omitted.

(ii) If it is replaced by 12.

Answer 1

(i) Number of observations (n) = 20

Incorrect mean = 10

Incorrect standard deviation = 2

That is, incorrect sum of observations = 200

Correct sum of observations = 200 – 8 = 192

∴ Correct mean

(ii) When 8 is replaced by 12,

Incorrect sum of observations = 200

∴ Correct sum of observations = 200 – 8 + 12 = 204