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A researcher classified his subjects as innately right-handed or lefthanded by comparing thumbnail widths. He took a sample of 400 men and found that 80 men could be classified as left-handed according to his criterion. Estimate the proportion of all males in the population who would test to be left-handed using a \(95 \%\) confidence interval.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The 95% confidence interval for the proportion of all males in the population who would be classified as left-handed is between 16.08% and 23.92%.

Step by step solution

01

Calculate the proportion of left-handed men in the sample

The proportion of left-handed men in the sample can be calculated by dividing the number of left-handed men by the total number of men in the sample. In this case, there are 80 left-handed men in a sample of 400 men. Proportion = \(\frac{80}{400} = 0.2\) So, the proportion of left-handed men in the sample is \(0.2\) or \(20\%\).
02

Identify the confidence level

The exercise asks for a \(95\%\) confidence interval. This means we want to be \(95\%\) confident that the true proportion of left-handed men in the population falls within our calculated interval.
03

Calculate the standard error

Standard error (SE) can be calculated using the formula: \(SE = \sqrt{\frac{p(1-p)}{n}}\), where \(p\) is the sample proportion, and \(n\) is the sample size. Plugging in our values, \(p = 0.2\) and \(n=400\), we get: \(SE = \sqrt{\frac{0.2(1 - 0.2)}{400}} = \sqrt{\frac{0.16}{400}} = \sqrt{0.0004} = 0.02\)
04

Determine the critical value

For a \(95\%\) confidence interval, we will use a z-score (critical value) of \(1.96\). This value is based on the standard normal distribution table and corresponds to the confidence level of \(95\%\).
05

Calculate the margin of error

The margin of error can be calculated by multiplying the critical value (\(z\)) by the standard error (SE). Margin of Error = \(z \times SE = 1.96 \times 0.02 = 0.0392\)
06

Calculate the confidence interval

The confidence interval is calculated by finding the range within the sample proportion \(\pm\) the margin of error. Lower Bound = \(p - \text{Margin of Error}\) = \(0.2 - 0.0392 = 0.1608\) Upper Bound = \(p + \text{Margin of Error}\) = \(0.2 + 0.0392 = 0.2392\) Therefore, the \(95\%\) confidence interval for the proportion of all males in the population who would be classified as left-handed is between \(16.08\%\) and \(23.92\%\).

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Sample Proportion
The sample proportion is a core concept in statistics that helps us estimate what is happening in a larger population. In the context of our exercise, the sample proportion represents the ratio of left-handed men in our sample group to the total number of men surveyed.
To find the sample proportion, simply divide the number of left-handed men, which is 80, by the total sample size, which is 400. This gives us:
  • Sample Proportion = \( \frac{80}{400} = 0.2 \)
  • This value, 0.2, indicates that 20% of the sample is left-handed.
This proportion serves as a critical starting point for creating a confidence interval, providing a snapshot of how many might be left-handed throughout the whole population.
Standard Error
Once we have the sample proportion, calculating the standard error (SE) helps us understand the variability or possible error inherent in our sample statistic. The standard error is vital because it gives us an idea of how much our sample proportion might differ from the actual population proportion.
To calculate it, use the formula:
  • \[ SE = \sqrt{\frac{p(1-p)}{n}} \]
  • Where \(p\) is the sample proportion (0.2 in our case) and \(n\) is the sample size, 400.
Using these values gives us:
  • \[ SE = \sqrt{\frac{0.2 \times 0.8}{400}} = 0.02 \]
  • A standard error of 0.02 indicates a relatively small amount of potential variation from the sample proportion.
This low standard error suggests that our sample proportion could be a close estimate of the true population proportion.
Margin of Error
The margin of error is a crucial component in constructing a confidence interval. It quantifies the range of possible values around the sample proportion, offering a "buffer zone" indicating uncertainty or potential variability in our estimate.
To calculate the margin of error, multiply the critical value (z-score) by the standard error:
  • Margin of Error = \( z \times SE \)
  • For a 95% confidence interval, the z-score is typically 1.96.
  • Given \( SE = 0.02 \), the margin of error is \( 1.96 \times 0.02 = 0.0392 \).
This tells us the interval around the sample proportion where the true population proportion is likely to fall, with a certain level of confidence. It extends 3.92% above and below the sample proportion of 20%.
Z-score
In statistical terms, a z-score represents the number of standard deviations an element is from the mean. It plays a significant role in confidence intervals, which help us estimate a population parameter, like a proportion.
The z-score connects our sample's findings to the standard normal distribution.
For a 95% confidence level, the z-score we use is 1.96.
  • This value comes from standard normal distribution tables, indicating that approximately 95% of the data falls within 1.96 standard deviations of the mean.
  • The z-score helps ensure that our confidence interval captures the true population parameter 95% of the time.
Using the z-score, we can determine the margin of error, allowing us to construct a reliable confidence interval that reflects our level of certainty about the sample results.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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