Quoto

Learn / Library / Statistics

Effective sample size

StatisticsMedium

An importance sampling run has draws with weights , , , , . The effective sample size is the squared sum of the weights divided by the sum of their squares. What is it? Answer as a fraction in lowest terms.

Checking an answer needs JavaScript. The hint and the solution open without it.

A whole number, a decimal, a fraction like 3/8 or a percent.

Hint

Add the weights and square the total, then add the squares of the weights.

Solution
  1. The weights sum to , and the squared sum is .
  2. The squares sum to .
  3. The effective sample size is , so the answer is .

Answer: