The answer
depends on the problem. For example, one observation with
will give you a correct answer for and a standard error of
zero. On the other hand, two million observations with , won't
be enough to estimate . Another way to think about this question
is that the basic model has five parameters and (like a regression
model with five parameters) you would probably want at least 30-50
observations or so. Problems for which the parameters are more highly
correlated (like regression problems with high collinearity among the
explanatory variables) will require additional observations to achieve
the same level of confidence. (That is, check the tomography plot to
ascertain what kind of problem you are working with.) You will also
want additional observations if your substantive problem demands
answers with more precision. Of course, if you can selectively add
observations that are especially informative, then there may be great
power to be had from collecting just a bit more data.