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Question 4593: Second Moment and Squared Mean

On this page
  1. Original question and givens
  2. Definition and scope
  3. Step-by-step derivation
  4. Reverse checks
  5. Result
  6. This question review and source binding

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← Question derivation index · Original question batch

R0008-04593 · q-20261008-advance-20261010-r06-variance-0043

Original question and givens

S={0,…,2}, F=P(S), masses=[18, 2, 1], D=21, and w_i=mass_i/D. Masses are nonnegative and sum exactly to D; uniform weights are not assumed. X=[-17, 2, 18] in index order. Give (E[X²], (E[X])²), distinguishing the two expressions. Use exact reduced fractions with positive denominators, retaining /1 for integers.

  • G001 — S={0,…,2}, F=P(S), masses=[18, 2, 1], D=21, and w_i=mass_i/D. Masses are nonnegative and sum exactly to D; uniform weights are not assumed. X=[-17, 2, 18] in index order. Give (E[X²], (E[X])²), distinguishing the two expressions. Use exact reduced fractions with positive denominators, retaining /1 for integers.

Definition and scope

Use the original question domain, assumptions and cited MKO definitions. This item has second-context mathematical and bilingual review, with the model, answer and every arithmetic step independently recomputed from the original parameters; the source question remains a candidate.

Step-by-step derivation

S001 · calculation

Before

total mass numerator := sum(18, 2, 1)

After

total mass numerator = 21

Conditions: none

Nonnegative masses must sum to D to give total probability1.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001

S002 · calculation

Before

probability weight0 := div(18, 21)

After

probability weight0 = 6/7

Conditions: none

Divide the indexed mass by the common positive denominator D.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S001

S003 · calculation

Before

probability weight1 := div(2, 21)

After

probability weight1 = 2/21

Conditions: none

Divide the indexed mass by the common positive denominator D.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S002

S004 · calculation

Before

probability weight2 := div(1, 21)

After

probability weight2 = 1/21

Conditions: none

Divide the indexed mass by the common positive denominator D.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S003

S005 · implies

Before

values=[-17, 2, 18];weights=[6/7, 2/21, 1/21]

After

known finite probability law,not a sampled estimate

Conditions: none

This is the complete normalized probability law,so variance uses its probability weights,not an n−1 sample estimate.Retain original indices of zero-mass outcomes.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: probability_variance_scope · Uses: G001, S004

S006 · calculation

Before

target variable weighted value0 := mul(6/7, -17)

After

target variable weighted value0 = -102/7

Conditions: none

Multiply aligned probabilities and values,retaining negative values and zero weights exactly.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S005

S007 · calculation

Before

target variable weighted value1 := mul(2/21, 2)

After

target variable weighted value1 = 4/21

Conditions: none

Multiply aligned probabilities and values,retaining negative values and zero weights exactly.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S006

S008 · calculation

Before

target variable weighted value2 := mul(1/21, 18)

After

target variable weighted value2 = 6/7

Conditions: none

Multiply aligned probabilities and values,retaining negative values and zero weights exactly.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S007

S009 · calculation

Before

target variable mean := sum(-102/7, 4/21, 6/7)

After

target variable mean = -284/21

Conditions: none

Add every weighted term to obtain the exact mean.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S008

S010 · calculation

Before

pointwise square0 := square(-17)

After

pointwise square0 = 289

Conditions: none

The second moment squares each point value before weighting.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S009

S011 · calculation

Before

pointwise square1 := square(2)

After

pointwise square1 = 4

Conditions: none

The second moment squares each point value before weighting.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S010

S012 · calculation

Before

pointwise square2 := square(18)

After

pointwise square2 = 324

Conditions: none

The second moment squares each point value before weighting.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S011

S013 · calculation

Before

squared variable weighted value0 := mul(6/7, 289)

After

squared variable weighted value0 = 1734/7

Conditions: none

Multiply aligned probabilities and values,retaining negative values and zero weights exactly.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S012

S014 · calculation

Before

squared variable weighted value1 := mul(2/21, 4)

After

squared variable weighted value1 = 8/21

Conditions: none

Multiply aligned probabilities and values,retaining negative values and zero weights exactly.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S013

S015 · calculation

Before

squared variable weighted value2 := mul(1/21, 324)

After

squared variable weighted value2 = 108/7

Conditions: none

Multiply aligned probabilities and values,retaining negative values and zero weights exactly.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S014

S016 · calculation

Before

squared variable mean := sum(1734/7, 8/21, 108/7)

After

squared variable mean = 5534/21

Conditions: none

Add every weighted term to obtain the exact mean.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S015

S017 · calculation

Before

mean squared := square(-284/21)

After

mean squared = 80656/441

Conditions: none

The squared mean instead averages first and then squares;the order differs.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S016

S018 · implies

Before

E[X²]=5534/21;(E[X])²=80656/441

After

Var(X)=E[X²]−(E[X])² under this finite law

Conditions: none

These two values are distinct operations;their difference is the variance of the complete law.Report them in the requested order without a sample correction.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: second_moment_vs_squared_mean · Uses: G001, S017

Reverse checks

  • S018 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.
  • S017 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute mean squared with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S016 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute squared variable mean with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S015 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute squared variable weighted value2 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S014 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute squared variable weighted value1 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S013 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute squared variable weighted value0 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S012 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute pointwise square2 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S011 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute pointwise square1 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S010 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute pointwise square0 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S009 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute target variable mean with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S008 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute target variable weighted value2 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S007 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute target variable weighted value1 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S006 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute target variable weighted value0 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S005 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.
  • S004 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute probability weight2 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S003 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute probability weight1 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S002 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute probability weight0 with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S001 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute total mass numerator with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.

Result

(5534/21, 80656/441)

The full substitutions and premise checks give the original answer; source identity,format and status are unchanged.

This question review and source binding

Review date: 2026-10-26

Original questions, answers, step expressions, numeric ASTs and historical records are retained. Source candidate labels remain historical and are not overwritten as formal proof.

Source hashes and review receipts
  • input commit: 0f7be61e2c22317a4075561dc822c87d881a50db
  • original question SHA-256: 7d028994104ba000b924011416d56022c741d662541797897c262d14ec75ba4c
  • candidate record SHA-256: f694642ecd2ac478d9d8dbabd327e325bb7e3194b418b4993078b02b2c2547f8
  • semantic review receipt SHA-256: b6e05a3e8193a93db505dbf337528fca72e2e41528b1e92b698a3f0683d74289
  • question-first witness SHA-256: caa8693baf0b91acd09a20215d1aa6954ae513fc0b0814f26ac1c8c834b60d67
  • Lean: NOT_RUN · human review: NOT_PERFORMED
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