The risk of an investment is measured by the variability of the changes in its value over a fixed period, such as a year. More variation from year to year means more risk. The government's Securities and Exchange Commission wants to require mutual funds to tell investors how risky they are. A news article (New York Times, April 2, 1995) says that some people think that "the proposed risk descriptions, especially one that goes by the daunting name standard deviation" are hard to understand. Explain to a friend what the standard deviation means, using the fact that the changes in a mutual fund's value over many years have a roughly Normal distribution.

Nell and kirby are in the process of negotiating their divorce agreement. what should be the tax consequences to nell and kirby if the following, considered individually, became part of the agreement? a. in consideration for her one-half interest in their personal residence, kirby will transfer to nell stock with a value of $200,000 and $50,000 of cash. kirby's cost of the stock was $150,000, and the value of the personal residence is $500,000. they purchased the residence three years ago for $300,000.nell's basis for the stock is $ xkirby's basis in the house is $ xb. nell will receive $1,000 per month for 120 months. if she dies before receiving all 120 payments, the remaining payments will be made to her estate.the payments (qualify, do not qualify) as alimony and are (included in, excluded from) nell's gross income as they are received.c. nell is to have custody of their 12-year-old son, bobby. she is to receive $1,200 per month until bobby (1) dies or (2) attains age 21 (whichever occurs first). after either of these events occurs, nell will receive only $300 per month for the remainder of her life.$ x per month is alimony that is (included in, excluded from) nell's gross income, and the remaining $ x per month is considered (child support, property settlement) and is (nontaxable, taxable) to nell.