In: Statistics and Probability
Fewer young people are driving. In 1983, 87% of 19-year-olds had
a driver’s license. Twentyfive years later that percentage had
dropped to 75%. Suppose the results are based on a random sample of
1200 19-year-olds in 1983 and again in 2008, and we are interested
in estimating the population proportion of 19-year-old drivers in
2008.
a. At 95% confidence, what is the margin of error?
b. Develop a 95% confidence interval for the proportion of
19-year-old drivers in 2008.
Solution :
Given that,
n = 1200
Point estimate = sample proportion = = 75% = 0.75
1 - = 1 - 0.75 = 0.25
a) At 95% confidence level the z is,
= 1 - 95%
= 1 - 0.95 = 0.05
/2 = 0.025
Z/2 = 1.96
Margin of error = E = Z / 2 * (( * (1 - )) / n)
= 1.96 * (((0.75 * 0.25 ) / 1200 )
= 0.025
b) A 95% confidence interval for population proportion p is ,
- E < p < + E
0.75 - 0.025 < p < 0.75 + 0.025
(0.725 < p < 0.775)