On the maximum likelihood estimation of the location and scale parameters of exponential distribution based on multiply Type II censored samples

The maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of the location and scale parameters of an exponential distribution based on singly and doubly censored samples is given. When the sample is multiply censored (some middle observations being censored), however, the ML method does not admit explicit solutions. In this case we present a simple approximation to the likelihood equation and derive explicit estimators which are linear functions of order statistics. Finally, we present some examples to illustrate this method of estimation.