SELF-LEARNING WORKSHEET
t-Distribution and Identifying Percentiles Using the t-Table
PART A – INTRODUCTION (READ THIS FIRST)
In statistics, we often want to estimate the mean of a population. However,
sometimes:
✔ the sample size is small (less than 30)
✔ the population standard deviation is unknown
When these happen, we do NOT use the normal distribution. Instead, we
use the t-distribution.
The t-distribution:
Looks similar to the normal curve
Is wider and flatter
Depends on the degrees of freedom (df)
Becomes closer to the normal distribution as sample size increases
PART B – ACTIVITY: Understanding When to Use the t-Distribution
Situation: A researcher randomly selects 12 students to study their daily
study time. The population standard deviation is unknown.
Question 1: Is the sample size small or large?
Answer: Small
Explanation:
A sample is considered small if n < 30.
Since n = 12, the sample is small.
Question 2: Is the population standard deviation known?
Answer: No
Explanation:
The problem does not give the population standard deviation, so it is
unknown.
Question 3: What distribution should be used?
Answer: t-distribution
Explanation:
The t-distribution is used when:
sample size is small, AND
population standard deviation is unknown
Both conditions are met in this problem.
Question 4: Why is the t-distribution appropriate?
Answer: The t-distribution is appropriate because the sample size is
less than 30 and the population standard deviation is not given. This
makes the estimate less precise, so the t-distribution adjusts for this
uncertainty.
PART C – CONCEPT CHECK
Write TRUE or FALSE.
1. TRUE – The t-distribution is used for small samples.
✔ Because small samples have more uncertainty.
2. FALSE – The t-distribution is narrower than the normal distribution.
✔ It is actually wider, especially for small samples.
3. TRUE – The t-distribution depends on degrees of freedom.
✔ Different df values give different t-curves.
4. TRUE – As sample size increases, the t-distribution becomes similar to the
normal distribution.
✔ Large samples reduce uncertainty.
5. TRUE – The t-distribution is used when population standard deviation is
unknown.
PART D – DEGREES OF FREEDOM (df)
Formula:
df =n−1
Why is this important?
The degrees of freedom determine:
which row to use in the t-table
how wide the t-distribution is
Examples:
Sample Size Degrees of
Formula
(n) Freedom
12 12 − 1 11
20 20 − 1 19
35 35 − 1 34
PART E – IDENTIFYING PERCENTILES USING THE T-TABLE
Example 1
Find the t-value if:
Sample size = 15
Confidence level = 95%
Step 1:
df = 15 − 1 = 14
Step 2:
α = 1 − 0.95 = 0.05
Step 3:
α / 2 = 0.025
Step 4:
From the t-table, t₀.₀₂₅,₁₄ = 2.145
Final Answer: t = 2.145
Example 2: A sample of 15 students is taken. Find the t-value for a 95%
confidence level.
Step 1: Identify the sample size
n = 15
Step 2: Compute the degrees of freedom
df=15−1=14
Step 3: Identify alpha (α)
α=1−0.95=0.05
Step 4: Divide alpha by 2
(Because this is a two-tailed test)
α/2=0.025
Step 5: Look at the t-table
Find:
row = df = 14
column = 0.025
t-value = 2.145
Final Answer: t = 2.145
Example 3: Guided Practice
A sample of 10 students is used with 90% confidence.
✔ Step 1: df = 10 − 1 = 9
✔ Step 2: α = 1 − 0.90 = 0.10
✔ Step 3: α / 2 = 0.05
✔ Step 4: From the table → t = 1.833
Example 4: Additional Practice
A sample of 25 students is taken at 99% confidence.
✔ df = 25 − 1 = 24
✔ α = 1 − 0.99 = 0.01
✔ α / 2 = 0.005
✔ t ≈ 2.797
PART F – APPLICATION
Problem 1: A sample of 18 students is taken.
a. What distribution should be used?
Answer: t-distribution
b. What is the degree of freedom?
Answer: df=18−1=17
Problem 2: Why is the t-distribution wider than the normal distribution?
Answer: Because the population standard deviation is unknown, there is
more uncertainty in the estimate. The t-distribution accounts for this by
having heavier tails.
Problem 3: A researcher studies 8 students.
a. What distribution should be used?
✔ t-distribution
b. What is the degree of freedom?
✔ df = 8 − 1 = 7
c. Why is t-distribution appropriate?
✔ Because the sample is small and the population standard deviation is
unknown.
Short Quiz: t-Distribution and Percentiles
Name: _____________________
Date: _____________________
Instructions:
Carefully read and understand each question below. Write your answers on
one whole sheet of paper. Show all your work and calculations wherever
possible to receive full credit.
1. A researcher selects 9 students to measure their average study
hours. The population standard deviation is unknown. Which
distribution should be used and why?
2. Calculate the degrees of freedom for a sample of 16 students.
3. Explain in one sentence why the t-distribution is wider than the
normal distribution.
4. A sample of 12 students is taken at 95% confidence. What is the value
of α and α/2?
5. Using the t-table, find the t-value for a sample of 12 students at 95%
confidence level.
6. A researcher wants a 99% confidence interval with a sample of 20.
Determine the degrees of freedom.
7. Why do we divide α by 2 when finding a t-value for confidence
intervals?
8. A sample of 8 students is taken. Explain why the t-distribution is
used instead of the z-distribution.
9. A researcher selects 15 students and wants a 90% confidence interval.
Use reasoning to determine the approximate t-value.
10. Explain why the degrees of freedom (df) affect the shape of
the t-distribution.