Final
Final
To calculate the 95% confidence interval for a population mean given a sample mean of 25.9 and standard deviation of 2.7 with a sample size of 90, use the formula x̅ ± zₓ * (σ/√n). Here, zₓ = 1.96 for 95% confidence. The standard deviation of the sampling distribution is σ/√n = 0.2066. Thus, the confidence interval is 25.9 ± 1.96 * 0.2066, resulting in a range of 25.5 to 26.3 .
When sampling more than 5% of a population, the finite population correction factor √((N-n)/(N-1)) is applied to the standard deviation of the sampling distribution. This reduces the standard error compared to a scenario where n/N ≤ 0.05. This distinction is crucial because it accounts for the reduced variability in the sample mean when a large portion of the population contributes to the sample, significantly affecting estimation accuracy and confidence interval width .
Increasing the sample size decreases the margin of error in a confidence interval. This is because the standard deviation of the sampling distribution of the sample mean decreases as the sample size increases, leading to a narrower confidence interval. The formula ẟ/√n reflects this relationship, as √n increases with larger sample sizes, reducing the margin of error .
For a sample size of 9, the z-score for a mean of 56 is calculated as (56 - 60) / (ẟ/√n) = (56 - 60) / 4 = -1. Using the standard normal distribution table, P(z < -1) = 0.1587, meaning there is a 15.87% probability that a random sample of size 9 will have a mean less than 56 .
When the sample size (n) is small relative to the population size (N), specifically when n/N < 0.05, the standard deviation of the sample mean, ẟₓ̅, is computed using the formula ẟ/√n. This indicates less variation in the sample means as compared to individual observations, hence the sample mean becomes a more reliable estimator of the population mean .
Sample error, which arises due to observing a sample rather than the entire population, impacts the interpretation of survey results by introducing uncertainty about what the true population parameter might be. Larger samples reduce the sample error, leading to more reliable and precise estimates. For instance, calculating standard error in a survey of opinion on college costs determines the confidence in the represented proportion .
Evaluating sample proportions using conditions np > 5 and nq > 5 ensures the normal approximation is valid, as these conditions check that there are a sufficiently large number of successes (np) and failures (nq) for the binomial distribution to approximate the normal distribution closely. This ensures the sample proportion follows a normal distribution for accurate z-score calculations and probability estimations in statistical analyses .
The probability that the proportion of adults who believe college education is too expensive is between 76.5% and 78% is calculated by finding the z-scores for both boundaries: P(0.765 < x < 0.78). With mean 0.75 and standard deviation of 0.005011, it leads to z-scores between 2.99 and 5.98. The resulting probability from the z-table gives a very small value of 0.0013, or 0.13% .
The probability that a sample proportion falls within a certain range can greatly depend on the sample size due to the concepts of sampling variability and standard error. In the example where 75% of adults believe college education is too expensive, a larger sample size such as 1400 will yield a smaller standard error, leading to a narrower range of expected sample proportions and thus a more precise estimate. The formula ẟₓ̅ = pq/√n reflects this relationship, showing lower variability in larger samples. For instance, the probability that 76.5% to 78% hold the said opinion is only 0.13% .
The Central Limit Theorem states that the sampling distribution of the sample mean will approach a normal distribution, regardless of the shape of the population distribution, as the sample size becomes large. This is significant because it allows for the use of normal probability models to make inferences about population parameters, even when the population itself is not normally distributed, provided the sample size is sufficiently large .