Chapter 8: Problem 5
Briefly explain how the width of a confidence interval decreases with an increase in the sample size. Give an example.
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Chapter 8: Problem 5
Briefly explain how the width of a confidence interval decreases with an increase in the sample size. Give an example.
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For a population, the value of the standard deviation is \(2.65\). A random sample of 35 observations taken from this population produced the following data. \(\begin{array}{lllllll}42 & 51 & 42 & 31 & 28 & 36 & 49 \\ 29 & 46 & 37 & 32 & 27 & 33 & 41 \\ 47 & 41 & 28 & 46 & 34 & 39 & 48 \\ 26 & 35 & 37 & 38 & 46 & 48 & 39 \\ 29 & 31 & 44 & 41 & 37 & 38 & 46\end{array}\) a. What is the point estimate of \(\mu\) ? b. Make a \(98 \%\) confidence interval for \(\mu\). c. What is the margin of error of estimate for part b?
The standard deviation for a population is \(\sigma=14.8\). A random sample of 25 observations selected from this population gave a mean equal to \(143.72\). The population is known to have a normal distribution. a. Make a \(99 \%\) confidence interval for \(\mu\). b. Construct a \(95 \%\) confidence interval for \(\mu\). c. Determine a \(90 \%\) confidence interval for \(\mu\). d. Does the width of the confidence intervals constructed in parts a through \(\mathrm{c}\) decrease as the confidence level decreases? Explain your answer.
A bank manager wants to know the mean amount of mortgage paid per month by homeowners in an area. A random sample of 120 homeowners selected from this area showed that they pay an average of \(\$ 1575\) per month for their mortgages. The population standard deviation of all such mortgages is \(\$ 215\). a. Find a \(97 \%\) confidence interval for the mean amount of mortgage paid per month by all homeowners in this area. b. Suppose the confidence interval obtained in part a is too wide. How can the width of this interval be reduced? Discuss all possible alternatives. Which alternative is the best?
A city planner wants to estimate the average monthly residential water usage in the city. He selected a random sample of 40 households from the city, which gave a mean water usage of \(3415.70\) gallons over a 1-month period. Based on earlier data, the population standard deviation of the monthly residential water usage in this city is \(389.60\) gallons. Make a \(95 \%\) confidence interval for the average monthly residential water usage for all households in this city.
A large city with chronic economic problems is considering legalizing casino gambling. The city council wants to estimate the proportion of all adults in the city who favor legalized casino gambling. Assume that a preliminary sample has shown that \(63 \%\) of the adults in this city favor legalized casino gambling. How large should the sample size be so that the \(95 \%\) confidence interval for the population proportion has a margin of error of \(.05 ?\)
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