Measurement of e sup + e sup minus r arrow b b forward-backward charge asymmetry between radical s =52 and 57 GeV

Using 123 multihadronic inclusive muon-production {ital e}{sup +}{ital e}{sup {minus}} annihilation events at an average c.m. energy of 55.2 GeV, we extracted the forward-backward charge asymmetry of the {ital e}{sup +}{ital e}{sup {minus}}{r arrow}b{bar b} process and the {ital R} ratio for {ital b{bar b}} production. We used an analysis method in which the behavior of the {ital c} quark and lighter quarks is assumed, with only that of the {ital b} quark left indeterminate. The results, {ital A}{sub {ital b}}={minus}0.72{plus minus}0.28(stat){plus minus}0.13(syst) and {ital R}{sub {ital b}}=0.57{plus minus}0.16{plus minus}0.10, are consistent with the standard model.