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$X_1,\ldots,X_6$ is a sample from a uniform distribution $ \left[ 0, \theta \right] $, $\theta$ is $[1,2]$. Find an unbiased estimator for $\theta$ with variance less than $\dfrac{1}{10}$.

I thought the M.L.E is $\max \left( X_i \right) $,and the unbiased estimator without other restriction shoud be $\hat\theta_N=\dfrac{N+1}N\max(X_i)$, (N=6).

But, I have no idea how to make the variance be less than $\dfrac{1}{10}$. I know that $$ \mathrm{Var}\left(\hat\theta\right) = \theta^2\dfrac{N}{(N+1)^2(N+2)}\,, $$ so $\mathrm{Var}\left(\hat\theta\dfrac{N+1}{N}\right) = \dfrac{\theta^2}{(N+2)N}$.

cardinal
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nina li
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  • Note that $\hat\theta = \max_i X_i$ is not (quite) the MLE in this case since you have a restricted parameter space $\Theta = [1,2]$ instead of $\Theta = (0,\infty)$. – cardinal Jan 22 '13 at 13:37
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    If $\theta\lt2$ and $N=6$, then $\dfrac{\theta^2}{(N+1)N}\lt\dfrac{2^2}{(6+1)6}\lt\dfrac1{10}$. – Did Jan 22 '13 at 14:11
  • yes,I think you are right.thank you. – nina li Jan 22 '13 at 14:47

1 Answers1

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(For the sake of having an answer.)

If $\theta\lt2$ and $N=6$, then $\dfrac{\theta^2}{(N+2)N}\lt\dfrac{2^2}{(6+2)6}\lt\dfrac1{10}$.

cardinal
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Did
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