Final answer:
The average operating time of the new battery cannot be determined without knowing the mean battery life.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to determine how long the battery will operate on average before being replaced, we need to know the mean battery life, which is denoted by option b) in the question. The mean battery life represents the average lifespan of the battery and provides an estimate of how long it is expected to last. Without this information, it is not possible to determine the average operating time of the new battery. Therefore, the correct answer is d) It cannot be determined without additional information.