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Since all the data values are equally likely, the mean of X ∼ U (a, b) is simply
the midpoint of the range of possible data values:
a+b
µ= .
2
The standard deviation of X ∼ U (a, b) less intuitive, but still a simple calcula-
tion: r
(b − a)2
σ=
12
(1) Find the theoretical mean smiling time of this eight-week-old baby. Use
the correct notation.
(2) Use the frequency table from Example 2 to estimate the mean of the sample
data. Use the correct notation.
(3) Are the theoretical and sample means the same? Why or why not?
Example 5.2 continued.
For continuous distributions, probabilities are areas under the density curve. In
particular, uniform distribution probabilities are areas of rectangles, which
we know all about.
(1) Find the mean amount of time it takes a nine-year-old child to eat a donut.
Use the correct notation for the mean.
(2) The probability that a randomly selected nine-year-old child eats a donut
in at least two minutes is .
(3) Find the probability that a different nine-year-old child eats a donut in
more than two minutes, given that the child has already been eating the
donut for more than 1.5 minutes.
Example 5.5