Chapter 23: Problem 3
You have ordered 10 bags of cement, which are supposed to weigh \(94 \mathrm{~kg}\) each. The average weight of the 10 bags is \(93.5 \mathrm{~kg}\). Assuming that the 10 weights can be viewed as a realization of a random sample from a normal distribution with unknown parameters, construct a \(95 \%\) confidence interval for the expected weight of a bag. The sample standard deviation of the 10 weights is \(0.75\).
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Identify the Information Given
Determine the Appropriate Formula
Find the Critical t-Value
Calculate the Margin of Error
Construct the Confidence Interval
Interpret the Confidence Interval
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Normal Distribution
For our cement bag example, we assume the weights follow a normal distribution, which lets us make inferences about the entire population from our sample. This is key when working with real-world data, as it is rarely possible to collect data from every possible member of a population.
- The normal distribution is symmetrical around the mean.
- It follows a particular mathematical formula involving the mean and standard deviation.
- Most of the data will be within three standard deviations of the mean.
t-Distribution
- The t-distribution is wider and flatter, which accounts for more variability in small samples.
- It has heavier tails than the normal distribution, meaning there's a higher probability for extreme values.
This is why we use it to find critical values that help determine the margin of error in our calculations.
Sample Standard Deviation
- It's calculated using the differences between each data point and the sample mean.
- It's a "biased estimator" compared to the population standard deviation, which is why adjustments are made using the t-distribution for small samples.
- The smaller the standard deviation, the closer the data points are to the mean, indicating less spread or variability.
Margin of Error
- It is calculated using \( ME = t^* \times \frac{s}{\sqrt{n}} \), where \( t^* \) is the critical t-value, \( s \) is the sample standard deviation, and \( n \) is the sample size.
- Larger margins of error are associated with wider confidence intervals, reflecting greater uncertainty.
- It directly influences the width of the confidence interval and is affected by both the variability in the data (standard deviation) and the size of the sample (\( n \)).