Newbold Stat8 Ism 09
Newbold Stat8 Ism 09
Newbold Stat8 Ism 09
5.1 P(1.4 < X < 1.8) = F(1.8) – F(1.4) = (.5)(1.8) – (.5)(1.4) = 0.20
5.2 P(1.0 < X < 1.9) = F(1.9) – F(1.0) = (.5)(1.9) – (.5)(1.0) = 0.45
5.5 a.
1.0
0.5
0.0
0 1
X
b.
Cumulative distribution function: F(x)
1.0
F(x)
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
5.6 a.
0.75
f(x)
0.50
0.25
0.00
0 1 2 3 4
b.
Cumulative density function: F(x)
1.0
0.8
0.6
F(x)
0.4
0.2
0.0
0 1 2 3 4
X
5.7 a. P(60,000 < X < 72,000) = P(X < 72,000) – P(X < 60,000) = .6 - .5 = .1
b. P(X < 60,000) < P(X < 65,000) < P(X < 72,000); .5 < P(X < 65,000) < .6
5.8 a. P(380 < X < 460) = P(X < 460) – P(X < 380) = .6 - .4 = .2
b. P(X < 380) < P(X< 400) < P(X < 460); .4 < P(X < 400) < .6
5.9 W = a + bX. If TC = 1000 + 2X, where X = number of units produced, find the mean
and variance of the total cost if the mean and variance for the number of units produced
are 500 and 900 respectively. W a b x = 1000 + 2(500) = 2000. 2W b 2 2 X =
(2)2(900) = 3600.
5.10 W = a + bX. If Profit = 1000 - 2X, where X = number of units produced, find the mean
and variance of the profit if the mean and variance for the number of units produced are
50 and 90 respectively. W a b x = 1000 - 2(50) = 900. 2W b 2 2 X = (-2)2(90) =
360.
5.11 W = a + bX. If Profit = 2000 - 2X, where X = number of units produced, find the mean
and variance of the profit if the mean and variance for the number of units produced are
500 and 900 respectively. W a b x = 2000 - 2(500) = 1000. 2W b 2 2 X = (-
2)2(900) = 3600.
5.12 W = a + bX. If Profit = 6000 - 3X, where X = number of units produced, find the
mean and variance of the profit if the mean and variance for the number of units produced
are 1000 and 900 respectively. W a b x = 6000 - 3(1000) = 3000. 2W b 2 2 X = (-
3)2(900) = 8100
5.18 a. Find Z0 such that P(Z < Z0) = .7, closest value of Z0 = .52
b. Find Z0 such that P(Z < Z0) = .25, closest value of Z0 = -.67
c. Find Z0 such that P(Z > Z0) = .2, closest value of Z0 = .84
d. Find Z0 such that P(Z > Z0) = .6, closest value of Z0 = -.25
400 380
5.22 a. P(Z < ) = P(Z < .4) = .6554
50
360 380
b. P(Z > ) = P(Z > -.4) = FZ(.4) = .6554
50
c. The graph should show the property of symmetry – the area in the tails equidistant
from the mean will be equal.
300 380 400 380
d. P( <Z< ) = P(-1.6 < Z < .4) = FZ(.4) – [1-FZ(1.6)] = .6554 -
50 50
.0548 = .6006
e. The area under the normal curve is equal to .8 for an infinite number of ranges –
merely start at a point that is marginally higher. The shortest range will be the one
that is centered on the Z of zero. The Z that corresponds to an area of .8 centered on
the mean is a Z of ±1.28. This yields an interval of the mean plus and minus $64:
[$316, $444]
1, 000 1, 200
5.23 a. P(Z > ) = P(Z > -2) =FZ(2) = .9772
100
1,100 1, 200 1,300 1, 200
b. P( <Z< ) = P(-1 < Z < 1) = 2FZ(1) –1 = .6826
100 100
c. P(Z > 1.28) = .1, plug into the Z-formula all of the known information and solve for
X 1, 200
the unknown: 1.28 = . Solve algebraically for X. Therefore, X = 1,328
100
38 35
5.24 a. P(Z > ) = P(Z > .75) = 1 - FZ(.75) = .2266
4
32 35
b. P(Z < ) = P(Z < -.75) = 1 - FZ(.75) = .2266
4
32 35 38 35
c. P( <Z< ) = P(-.75 < Z < .75) = 2FZ(.75) – 1 = 2(.7734) – 1 = .5468
4 4
d. (i) The graph should show the property of symmetry – the area in the tails equidistant
from the mean will be equal.
(ii) The answers to a, b, c sum to one because the events cover the entire area under
the normal curve which by definition, must sum to 1.
20 12.2
5.25 a. P(Z > ) = P(Z > 1.08) = 1 – Fz (1.08) = .1401
7.2
0 12.2
b. P(Z < ) = P(Z < -1.69) = 1 – Fz (1.69) = .0455
7.2
5 12.2 15 12.2
c. P( <Z< ) = P(-1 < Z < .39) = Fz (.39) – [1- Fz (1)] = .6517 - .1587
7.2 7.2
= .4930
10 12.2
5.26 a. P(Z < ) = P(Z < - .79) = 1 – Fz (.79) = .2148
2.8
15 12.2
b. P(Z > ) = P(Z > 1) = 1 – Fz (1) = .1587
2.8
12 12.2 15 12.2
c. P( <Z< ) = P(-.07 < Z < 1) = Fz (1) – [1- Fz (.07)] = .8413 - .4721
2.8 2.8
= .3692
d. The answer to a. will be larger because 10 grams is closer to the mean than is 15
grams. Thus, there would be a greater area remaining less than 10 grams than will be
the area above 15 grams.
Xi 18.2
5.29 P(Z < -1.28) = .1, –1.28 = Xi = 16.28
1.5
820 700
5.31 a. P(Z > ) = P(Z> 1) = 1 – Fz (1) = .1587
120
730 700 820 700
b. P( <Z< ) = P(.25 < Z < 1) = .8413 - .5987 = .2426
120 120
Xi 700
c. P(Z < -1.645) = .05, –1.645 = , Xi = 502.6
120
5 4.4
5.33 For Supplier A: P(Z < ) = P(Z < 1.5) = .9332
.4
5 4.2
For Supplier B: P(Z < ) = P(Z < 1.33) = .9082
.6
Therefore, Supplier A has a greater probability of achieving less than 5% impurity and is
hence the better choice
Xi 150
5.34 a. P(Z > -1.28) = .9, -1.28 = , Xi = 98.8
40
Xi 150
b. P(Z < .84) = .8, .84 = , Xi = 183.6
40
120 150 2
c. P(X 1) = 1 – P(X = 0) = 1-[P(Z< )] = 1 – [P(Z < -.75)]2 = 1 – (.2266)2 =
40
.9487
60 75
5.35 a. P(Z < ) = P(Z < -.75) = .2266
20
90 75
b. P(Z > ) = P(Z >.75) = .2266
20
c. The graph should show that 60 minutes and 90 minutes are equidistant from the mean
of 75 minutes. Therefore, the areas above 90 minutes and below 60 minutes by the
property of symmetry must be equal.
Xi 75
d. P(Z > 1.28) = .1, 1.28 = , Xi = 100.6
20
180 200
5.37 a. P( < Z < 0) = .5 – [1- Fz (1)] = .5 -.1587 = .3413
20
245 200
b. P(Z > ) = 1 – FZ(2.25) = .0122
20
c. Smaller
Xi 200
d. P(Z < -1.28) = .1, -1.28 = , Xi = 174.4
20
5.38
z=(16-15)/2=1/2=0.5
z=(14-15)/2=-0.5
Z table --> 0.5=0.1915
0.1915+0.1915=0.383
= 38%
50 60
P(Z < ) = P(Z < -2.04) = 1 – FZ(2.04) = 1- .9793 = .0207
4.899
38 35
5.48 P(Z > ) = P(Z > .75) = 1 - FZ(.75) = 1 - .7734 = .2266
4
E[X] = 100(.2266) = 22.66, = (100)(.2266)(.7734) = 4.1863
25 22.66
P(Z > ) = P(Z > .56) = 1 - FZ(.56) = 1 - .7123 = .2877
4.1863
10 12.2
5.49 P(Z ≤ ) = P(Z < -.79) = 1 - FZ(.79) = 1 - .7852 = .2148
2.8
E[X] = 400(.2148) = 85.92, = (400)(.2148)(.7852) = 8.2137
100 85.92
P(Z > ) = P(Z > 1.71) = 1 - FZ(1.71) = 1 - .9564 = .0436
8.2137
5.50 = 1.0, what is the probability that an arrival occurs in the first t=2 time units?
Cumulative Distribution Function
Exponential with mean = 1
x P( X <= x )
0 0.000000
1 0.632121
2 0.864665
3 0.950213
4 0.981684
5 0.993262
P(T < 2) = .864665
5.51 = 8.0, what is the probability that an arrival occurs in the first t=7 time units?
Cumulative Distribution Function
Exponential with mean = 8
x P( X <= x )
0 0.000000
1 0.117503
2 0.221199
3 0.312711
4 0.393469
5 0.464739
6 0.527633
7 0.583138
8 0.632121
P(T < 7) = .583138
5.52 = 5.0, what is the probability that an arrival occurs after t=7 time units?
Cumulative Distribution Function
Exponential with mean = 5
x P( X <= x )
0 0.000000
1 0.181269
2 0.329680
3 0.451188
4 0.550671
5 0.632121
6 0.698806
7 0.753403
8 0.798103
P(T>7) = 1-[P(T ≤7)] = 1 - .7534 =.2466
5.53 = 5.0, what is the probability that an arrival occurs after t = 5 time units?
Cumulative Distribution Function
Exponential with mean = 5
x P( X <= x )
0 0.000000
1 0.181269
2 0.329680
3 0.451188
4 0.550671
5 0.632121
6 0.698806
7 0.753403
8 0.798103
P(T>5) = 1-[P(T≤5)] = 1 - .6321 = .3679
5.54 = 3.0, what is the probability that an arrival occurs after t=2 time units?
Cumulative Distribution Function
Exponential with mean = 3
x P( X <= x )
0 0.000000
1 0.283469
2 0.486583
3 0.632121
P(T<2) = .4866
5.59
a. The mean and standard deviation are the same, and equal 1/
Therefore = 1/.05 = 20 (hours)
b. P( X > 20) =
= .3679
5.61 Find the mean and variance of the random variable: W = 5X + 4Y with correlation = .5
W a x b y = 5(100) + 4(200) = 1300
2W a 2 2 X b 2 2Y 2abCorr ( X , Y ) X Y
= 52(100) + 42(400) + 2(5)(4)(.5)(10)(20) = 12,900
5.62 Find the mean and variance of the random variable: W = 5X + 4Y with correlation = -.5
W a x b y = 5(100) + 4(200) = 1300
2W a 2 2 X b 2 2Y 2abCorr ( X , Y ) X Y
= 52(100) + 42(400) + 2(5)(4)(-.5)(10)(20) = 4,900
5.63 Find the mean and variance of the random variable: W = 5X – 4Y with correlation = .5.
W a x b y = 5(100) – 4(200) = -300
2W a 2 2 X b 2 2Y 2abCorr ( X , Y ) X Y
= 52(100) + 42(400) – 2(5)(4)(.5)(10)(20) = 4900
5.64 Find the mean and variance of the random variable: W = 5X – 4Y with correlation = .5.
W a x b y = 5(500) – 4(200) = 1700
2W a 2 2 X b 2 2Y 2abCorr ( X , Y ) X Y
= 52(100) + 42(400) – 2(5)(4)(.5)(10)(20) = 4900
5.65 Find the mean and variance of the random variable: W = 5X – 4Y with correlation of -.5.
W a x b y = 5(100) – 4(200) = -300
2W a 2 2 X b 2 2Y 2abCorr ( X , Y ) X Y
= 52(500) + 42(400) – 2(5)(4)(-.5)(22.3607)(20) = 27,844.28
5.70 The calculation of the mean is correct, but the standard deviations of two random
variables cannot be summed. To get the correct standard deviation, add the variances together
and then take the square root. The standard deviation: z 5(15) 2 = 33.5410.
5.71 Z = (16 x ) / 16 = x = 28
Z = 16 x / 16 =
2
(2.4) 2 / 16 = 2.4 / 4 = .6
5.72 a. Compute the mean and variance of the portfolio with correlation of +.5
W a x b y = 50(25) + 40(40) = 2850
2W a 2 2 X b 2 2Y 2abCorr ( X , Y ) X Y
= 502(121) + 402(225) + 2(50)(40)(.5)(11)(15) = 992,500
b. Recompute with correlation of -.5
W a x b y = 50(25) + 40(40) = 2850
2W a 2 2 X b 2 2Y 2abCorr ( X , Y ) X Y
= 502(121) + 402(225) + 2(50)(40)(-.5)(11)(15) = 332,500
5.73 a. Find the probability that total revenue is greater than total cost
W = aX – bY = 10X –[7Y+250)]
W a x b y = 10(100) – [7(100) + 250] = 50
2W a 2 2 X b 2 2Y 2abCorr ( X , Y ) X Y
= 102(64) + 72(625) – 2(10)(7)(.6)(8)(25) = 20,225 W 20, 225
= 142.2146
0 50
P(Z > ) = P(Z > -.35) = FZ(.35) = .6368
142.2146
0 100
b. P(Z < ) = P(Z < -.39) = 1 – FZ(.39) = 1 – .6517 = .3483
256.90465
5.75
W = aX – bY = 10X – 4Y
W a x b y = 10(400) – 4(400) = 2400
2W a 2 2 X b 2 2Y 2abCorr ( X , Y ) X Y
=102(900) + 42(1600) – 2(10)(4)(.5)(30)(40) = 67,600 W 67, 600 =260
2000 2400
P(Z > ) = P(Z > -1.54) = FZ(1.54) = .9382
260
5.76 a. W = aX – bY = 1X – 1Y
W a x b y = 1(100) – 1(105) = -5
2W a 2 2 X b 2 2Y 2abCorr ( X , Y ) X Y
=12(900) + 12(625) – 2(1)(1)(.7)(30)(25) = 475 W 475 =21.79449
0 (5)
b. P(Z > ) = P(Z > .23) = 1 – FZ(.23) = 1 – .5910 = .4090
21.79449
5.78 a.
f(x)
0.033333
0.000000
30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
1.0
0.8
0.6
F(x)
0.4
0.2
0.0
35 40 45 50 55 60 65
X
65 35
d. E[X] = = 50
2
f(x)
1.00
0.5
0.00
0 .5 1 1.5 3
5.82 Given that the variance of both predicted earnings and forecast error are both positive and
given that the variance of actual earnings is equal to the sum of the variances of predicted
earnings and forecast error, then the variance of predicted earnings must be less than the
variance of actual earnings
5.83 Cov[(X1 + X2), (X1 – X2)] = E[(X1 + X2)(X1 – X2)] – E[X1 + X2] E[X1 – X2] = E[X12 -
X22]– E[(X1) + E(X2)][E(X1) – E(X2)] =
E(X12) – E(X22) - [(E(X1))2 – (E(X2))2] = Var (X1) – Var (X2)
Which is 0 if and only if Var (X1) = Var (X2)
3 2.6
5.84 a. P(Z > ) = P(Z > .8) = 1 – FZ(.8) = .2119
.5
2.25 2.6 2.75 2.6
b. P( <Z< ) = P(-.7 < Z < .3) = Fz (.3) – [1-FZ(.3)] = .3759
.5 .5
Xi 2.6
c. P(Z > 1.28) = .1, 1.28 = , Xi = 3.24
.5
d. P(Xi > 3) = .2119 (from part a)
E[X] = 400(.2119) = 84.76, x = (400)(.2119)(.7881) = 8.173
80 84.76
P(Z > ) = P(Z > -.58) = FZ(.58) = .7190
8.173
e. P(X 1) = 1 – P(X = 0) = 1 – (.7881)2 = .3789
65 60
5.85 a. P(Z > ) = P(Z > .5) = 1 – FZ(.5) = .3085
10
50 60 70 60
b. P( <Z< ) = P(-1 < Z < 1) = 2 Fz (1) – 1 = .6826
10 10
Xi 60
c. P(Z > 1.96) = .025, 1.96 = , Xi = 79.6
10
d. P(Z > .675) = .25, .675 = The shortest range will be the interval centered on the
Xi 60
mean. Since the P(Z > .675) = . 25, .675 = . Xi = 66.75. The lower value of
10
Xi 60
the interval will be –.675 = which is Xi = 53.25. Therefore, the shortest
10
range will be 66.75 – 53.25 = 13.5. This is by definition the InterQuartile Range
(IQR).
e.
P(X > 65) = .3085 (from part a)
Use the binomial formula: P(X = 2) = C24 (.3085) 2 (.6915) 2 = 0.2731
85 100
5.86 a. P(Z < ) = P(Z < -.5) = .3085
30
70 100 130 100
b. P( <Z< ) = P(-1 < Z < 1) = 2 Fz (1) – 1 = .6826
30 30
Xi 100
c. P(Z > 1.645) = .05, 1.645 = , Xi = 149.35
30
60 100
d. P(Z > ) = P(Z > -1.33) = FZ(1.33) = .9032
30
P(X 1) = 1 – P(X = 0) = 1 – (.0918)2 = .9916
e. Use the binomial formula: P(X = 2) = C24 (.9082) 2 (.0918) 2 = 0.0417
f. 90 – 109
g. 130 - 149
15 20 25 20
5.87 a. P( <Z< ) = P(-1.25 < Z < 1.25) = 2 FZ(1.25) – 1 =
4 4
.7888
30 20
b. P(Z > ) = P(Z > 2.5) =1 - Fz (2.5) = .0062
4
c. P(X 1) = 1 – P(X = 0) = 1 – [FZ(2.5)]5 = .0306
Xi 20
d. P(Z > .525) = .4 .253 = , Xi = 21.01. The shortest range will be the interval
4
Xi 20
centered on the mean. The lower value of the interval will be –.525 =
4
which is Xi = 18.99. Therefore, the shortest range is 21.01 – 18.99 = 2.03.
f. 19 – 21
g. 21 – 23
130 100
5.88 P(Z > 1.28) = .1, 1.28 = , = 23.4375
140 100
P(Z > ) = P(Z > 1.71) = 1 – FZ(1.71) = .0436
23.4375
4.36% of members spend more than $140 in a year.
25
5.89 P(Z > 1.28) = .1, 1.28 = , = 21.8
2.5
20 21.8
P(Z < ) = P(Z < -.72) = 1 – FZ(.72) = .2358
2.5
23.58% of customers spent less than $20.
5.92 The number of calls per 12-hour time period follows a Poisson distribution with
15 calls / 12 - hour time period.
x P( X <= x)
0.00 0.0000
1.00 0.0000
2.00 0.0000
3.00 0.0002
4.00 0.0009
5.00 0.0028
6.00 0.0076
7.00 0.0180
8.00 0.0374
9.00 0.0699
10.00 0.1185
11.00 0.1848
12.00 0.2676
13.00 0.3632
14.00 0.4657
15.00 0.5681
16.00 0.6641
17.00 0.7489
P( x 10) P( x 9) 0.0699
P( x 17) 1 P( x 17) 1 0.7489 0.2511
e 6 6 6
5.93 a. P(X = 6) = = .1606
6!
6
b. 20 minutes = 1/3 hours, P(X > 1/3) = e 3
= .1353
6
c. 5 minutes = 1/12 hour, P(X < 1/12) = 1 - e 12 = .3935
d. 30 minutes = .5 hour, P(X > .5) = e (.5)(6) = .0498
5.94
z=(4.4-3.2)/0.8=1.5
Z table 1.5=0.4332
0.5-0.4332=0.0668
= 0.6%
5.95
a. z=(285.4-283)/1.6
=2.4/1.6=1.5
1.5=0.4332
= 43%
b. z=(285.4-283)/2.2
=2.4/2.2=1.5
1.09=0.3621
=36%
3.5 2.4
5.96 P(Z>1.28)=.1, 1.28= , =.8594. Probability that 1 executive spends 3+ hours on
3 2.4
task: P(Z > ) = P(Z > .7) = 1 – FZ(.7) = 0.3 E[X] = 400(0.3)=120 , x =
.8594
80 120
(400)(.3)(.7) = 9.165; P(Z > ) = P(Z>-4.36 )= FZ (4.36) = 1
9.165
5.99
W a x b y = 1(80000) + 1(60000) = 140000
2W a 2 2 X b 2 2Y 2abCorr ( X , Y ) X Y
= 12(1000000) + 12(810000) + 2(1)(1)(.4)(1000)(900) = 2,530,000
W 2,530, 000 1590.597372
Probability that the weight is between 138,000 and 141,000:
138, 000 140, 000 141, 000 140, 000
= –1.26 Fz = .3962, = .63 Fz = .2357
1590.597372 1590.597372
.3962 + .2357 = .6319
5.100
a. Mean: .211; Standard deviation: .1081
c. Mean: .211; Standard deviation: .1064
Covariances:
Alcoa Inc. Reliant Energy, Inc.
Reliant Energy, Inc. 22.1591
Sea Containers Ltd. 5.6791 -27.7501
We can confirm these results by finding the portfolio price for each year, shown next, and then
by finding the mean and variance of these prices.
Portfolio Price
20.9567
14.9733
17.4767
21.5867
21.2033
11.6367
21.9133
Variable Q3 Maximum
Portfolio Price 21.59 21.91
Assuming that the portfolio price is normally distributed, the narrowest interval that contains
95% of the distribution of portfolio value is centered at the mean. Therefore, it is W z / 2 W .
Using z / 2 1.96 and W 3.98, the interval is 18.54 (1.96)(3.98) or (10.74, 26.34).
Covariances:
AB Volvo (ADR) Alcoa Inc. Pentair Inc.
Alcoa Inc. 6.5180
Pentair Inc. 31.2128 5.4712
TCF Financial
Corporation -4.3594 -2.7947 20.6897
We can confirm these results by finding the portfolio price for each year, shown next, and then
by finding the mean and variance of these prices.
Portfolio Price
26.1833
24.6217
24.0983
27.7533
20.2700
14.3017
17.1033
Variable Q3 Maximum
Portfolio Price 26.18 27.75
Assuming that the portfolio price is normally distributed, the narrowest interval that contains
95% of the distribution of portfolio value is centered at the mean. Therefore, it is W z / 2 W .
Using z / 2 1.96 and W 4.97, the interval is 22.05 (1.96)(4.97) or (12.31, 31.79).
Covariances:
3M Alcoa Intel Potlatch General Motors
Company Inc. Corporation Corporation Corporation
Alcoa Inc. 25.5503
Intel Corporation 14.0721 28.3612
Potlatch Corporation 81.3497 9.8462 2.9658
General Motors
Corporation -28.2769 23.1876 32.7968 -74.5682
Sea Containers Ltd. -1.2885 5.6791 17.3941 -2.1902 57.4105
Let the total value of the portfolio be represented by variable W. The mean and variance for this
portfolio, W and W2 , can be found using the following equations or by using technology.
k k k 1 k
W ai i , W2 ai2 i2 2 a a i j Cov( X i , X j )
i 1 i 1 i 1 j i 1
Variable Q3 Maximum
Portfolio Price 41.20 43.58
Assuming that the portfolio price is normally distributed, the narrowest interval that contains
95% of the distribution of portfolio value is centered at the mean. Therefore, it is W z / 2 W .
Using z / 2 1.96 and W 4.95, the interval is 36.46 (1.96)(4.95) or (26.76, 46.16).
Covariances:
General
3M Intel Potlatch Motors
Company Alcoa Inc. Corporation Corporation Corporation
Alcoa Inc. 0.00153782
Intel Corporation 0.00163165 0.00184360
Potlatch Corporation 0.00012217 0.00197600 0.00144736
General Motors
Corporation -0.00005101 0.00103371 -0.00006588 0.00246545
Sea Containers Ltd. 0.00075015 0.00706908 -0.00131221 -0.00151704 0.01077420
Let the portfolio growth be represented by variable W. The mean and variance for this portfolio, W
and W2 , can be found using the following equations or by using technology.
k k k 1 k
W ai i , W2 ai2 i2 2 a a i j Cov( X i , X j )
i 1 i 1 i 1 j i 1
Covariances:
General Motors International Potlatch Sea Containers
Corporation Business Machines Corporation Ltd.
General Motors
Corporation
International Business
Machines 0.00061410
Potlatch Corporation 0.00246545 0.00097139
Sea Containers Ltd. 0.01077420 0.00256087 -0.00151704
Tata Communications 0.00108433 0.00149232 0.00626864 -0.00332721
Let the portfolio growth be represented by variable W. The mean and variance for this portfolio, W
and W2 , can be found using the following equations or by using technology.
k k k 1 k
W ai i , W2 ai2 i2 2 a a i j Cov( X i , X j )
i 1 i 1 i 1 j i 1
For the second portfolio (40% General Motors, 30% International Business Machines, and 30%
Tata Communications), we get the following output:
Descriptive Statistics: Portfolio Growth
The second portfolio has a higher mean and a lower variance. Since risk is directly related to
variance, the second portfolio would be the better choice.
Covariances:
TCF
Reliant Financial 3M
AB Volvo Pentair Inc. Energy Inc. Corporation Company
Pentair Inc. 0.00074848
Reliant
Energy Inc. 0.00228027 0.00105381
TCF Financial
Corporation -0.00001514 -0.00021080 -0.00041228
3M Company 0.00099279 0.00087718 0.00031032 0.00072435
Restoration
Hardware Inc. 0.00117969 0.00169410 0.00055922 -0.00041072 0.00204408
Let the portfolio growth be represented by variable W. The mean and variance for this portfolio, W
and W2 , can be found using the following equations or by using technology.
k k k 1 k
W ai i , W2 ai2 i2 2 a a i j Cov( X i , X j )
i 1 i 1 i 1 j i 1
For the second portfolio (20% AB Volvo, 30% Pentair, 30% Reliant Energy, and 20% 3M
Company), we get the following output:
The second portfolio has a higher mean and a higher variance. Recall that risk is directly related
to variance. Since the second portfolio has a significantly larger mean and only a slightly larger
variance, it would be the better choice.