1.9. Plutonium Example. power transformations that might be useful, we shall use the Box-Cox procedure to suggest an appropriate power transformation. Using the standardized variable (3.36), we find the maximum likelihood estimate of 1 to be A = .65. Because the likelihood function is fairly flat in the neighborhood of 2 = .65, the Box-Cox procedure supports the use of the square How was 1 = .65 created and how was it eventually chosen