Given: Two sets each of 20 observations, have the same standard derivation 5. The first set has a mean 17 and the second a mean 22.
To show: the standard deviation of the set obtained by combining the given two sets
As per given criteria,
For first set
Number of observations, n1=20
Standard deviation, s1=5
And mean, \(\overline x_1 = 17\)
For second set
Number of observations, n2=20
Standard deviation, s2=5
And mean, \(\overline x_2 = 22\)
We know the standard deviation for combined two series is


Or, σ=5.59
Hence the standard deviation of the set obtained by combining the given two sets is 5.59.