In: Statistics and Probability
Suppose you have a sample of size 30 with a mean of 48 and a
population standard deviation of 13.1. What is the maximal margin
of error associated with a 95% confidence interval for the true
population mean?
In your calculations, use z = 2.
Give your answer as a decimal, to two places
m = ounces
Solution =
Given,
= 48
= 13.1
n = 30
Note that, Population standard deviation() is known..So we use z distribution.
Our aim is to construct 95% confidence interval.
c = 0.95
= 1- c = 1- 0.95 = 0.05
/2 = 0.05 2 = 0.025 and 1- /2 = 0.975
Search the probability 0.975 in the Z table and see corresponding z value
= 1.96 = 2
The margin of error is given by
E = /2 * ( / n )
= 2 * ( 13.1/ 30 )
= 4.78
Now , confidence interval for mean() is given by:
( - E ) < < ( + E)
( 48 - 4.78 ) < < ( 48 + 4.78 )
43.22 < < 52.78
Required 95% confidence interval is ( 43.22 , 52.78 )