The German Tank Problem
An enemy produces tanks with serial numbers 1, 2, ..., N. You capture four tanks with serial numbers 19, 40, 42, and 60. Using the standard minimum-variance unbiased estimator, what is your estimate of N?
Related problems & prerequisites
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- MLE for the Uniform 6.0/10
- The Missing Bullet Holes 6.0/10
- Bessel's Correction 5.0/10
Source: The German tank problem, from Allied statistical estimation of German production in the Second World War. Statement written for AxiomIQ.