In: Statistics and Probability
In a class of 25 students the average grade on a quiz is 16.85, with a sample standard deviation of 4.75. The grades are known to be normally distributed. a. Determine the standard error of the mean. b. Determine the 98% confidence interval for the class grades. c. If you wanted a narrower interval, would you increase or decrease the confidence level?
Given ,
Sample size = n = 25
Sample mean = = 16.85
Sample standard deviation = s = 4.75
a)
Standard error of the mean :
b)
We have to find 98% confidence interval for population mean
Since population standard deviation is not know, we have to use t interval formula.
Formula :
Where ,
is two tailed t critical value for given confidence level with df = n - 1
Confidence level = 98% = 0.98
df = 25-1 = 24
Using t table,
Critical value = = 2.492
we have , = 16.85 , , = 2.492
Put values in formula, we get
c)
If confidence level decreases then critical value decreases, So margin of error decreases. Therefore, confidence interval become narrower.