Confidence Interval Sample

Problems
Problem Summary
• 1- 5: Difference between two means
• 6-7: Proportions
• 8-11: Single sample estimation
Problem 1 (Diff btwn Two Means)
A taxi company is trying to decide: whether to purchase brand A or brand B tires for its fleet of taxis.
To estimate the difference in the two brands, an experiment is conducted using 12 of each brand. The tires are run until they
wear out. The results are
Brand A: x1 — 36,300 kilometers, s1 = 5,000 kilometers.
Brand B: x2 = 38,100 kilometers, s2 = 6,100 kilometers.
Compute a 95% confidence interval for ma — mb assuming the populations to be approximately normally distributed.
Assume variances are not equal.

Explanation:
Estimating difference ma — mb, assume variances are not equal, also s1 and s2 means the variance is
unknown. Given those conditions we use: 2 2 2
(S1 / n1  S2 / n2 )
2 2 2 2 
( x 1  x 2 )  t / 2,
s1

s
 1  2  ( x 1  x 2 )  t / 2,
2 1 s
2s  
 1 1  2 2 

 S2 / n 2   S2 / n 2 
where
n1 n2 n1 n2  n1  1   n2  1 
Problem 1 Solution

Because we are looking for a 95%

confidence interval, a = 0.05 and a/2
= 0.025, so we go to t-table and find
the value that corresponds to v = 21,
and a = 0.025. That value is 2.080
 Problem 2 (Diff btwn Two Means)
Two kinds of thread are being compared for strength. Fifty pieces of each type of thread are tested
under similar conditions. Brand A had an average: tensile strength of 78.3 kilograms with a standard
deviation of 5.6 kilograms, while brand B had an average tensile strength of 87.2 kilograms with a
standard deviation of 6.3 kilograms.
Construct a 95% confidence interval for the difference of the population means.

Explanation:
Question asks for difference in population means, gives actual standard deviation (not sample
standard deviation) this means s12 and s22 are known, also n>30 so n is considered large. Because
variance or standard deviation is known, and because n is large, we use this equation:

If standard deviation
s 12 s 22 s 12 s 22
( x 1  x 2 )  z / 2   1  2  ( x 1  x 2 )  z / 2  was unknown, but n
n1 n2 n1 n2 was large, you should
still use this
equation.
 Problem 2 Solution

Because we are looking for a 95%

confidence interval, a = 0.05 and a/2
= 0.025, so we go to z-table and find
the value that corresponds to an
area of 0.025 under the curve. That
corresponds to z = 1.96
 Problem 3 (Diff btwn Two Means)
In a batch chemical process, two catalysts are being compared for their effect on the output of the
process reaction. A sample of 12 batches was prepared using catalyst 1 and a sample of 10 batches
was obtained using catalyst 2. The 12 batches for which catalyst 1 was used gave an average yield of
85 with a sample standard deviation of 4, and the second sample gave an average of 81 and a
sample standard deviation of 5.
Find a 90% confidence interval for the difference between the population means, assuming that
the: populations are approximately normally distributed with equal variances.

Explanation:
Estimating difference ma — mb, assume variances are equal, also because a SAMPLE standard deviation is given that
means the variance is unknown. Given those conditions we use:

1 1 1 1 (n1  1)S12  (n2  1)S22

( x1  x 2 )  t ( / 2,n1  n2 2 ) S p   1  2  ( x1  x 2 )  t ( / 2,n1  n2 2 )S p  where S 
2

n1  n2  2
p
n1 n2 n1 n2
 Problem 3 Solution This is the square root of Sp2

Degrees of freedom = v = n1+n2-2

 Problem 4 (Diff btwn Two Means)
Students may choose between a 3-semester-hour course in physics without, labs and a 4-semester-
hour course with labs. The final written examination is the same for each section. The results are
shown below:
3-semester-hour course 4-semester-hour course
n1=12 n2=18
x1 = 84 x2 = 77
s1 = 4 s2 = 6
Find a 99%. confidence interval for the difference between the average grades for the two courses.
Assume the populations to be approximately normally distributed with equal variances.
Explanation:
Estimating difference ma — mb, assume variances are equal, also because a SAMPLE standard deviation is given that
means the variance is unknown. Given those conditions we use:
1 1 1 1 (n1  1)S12  (n2  1)S22
( x1  x 2 )  t ( / 2,n1  n2 2 ) S p   1  2  ( x1  x 2 )  t ( / 2,n1  n2 2 )S p  S 
2

n1  n2  2
p
n1 n2 n1 n2 where
 Problem 4 Solution

Degrees of freedom = v = n1+n2-2 This is the square root of Sp2

Problem 5 (Diff btwn Two Means)
The following data represent the running times of films produced by two motion-picture
companies.
Movie Running Times
I 103 94 110 87 98
II 97 82 123 92 175 88 118

Compute a 90% confidence interval for the difference between the average running times of films
produced by the two companies. Assume that the running-time differences are approximately
normally distributed with unequal variances.
Explanation:
Estimating difference ma — mb, assume variances are not equal, also you are given raw sample data and
have to calculate sI and sII , the variance is unknown. Given those conditions we use:
s12 s22 s12 s22 (S12 / n1  S22 / n2 )2

( x 1  x 2 )  t / 2,   1  2  ( x 1  x 2 )  t / 2,  where   
 S2 / n 2   S2 / n 2 
n1 n2 n1 n2  1 1  2 2 
 n1  1   n2  1 
Problem 5 Solution
You are given raw sample data so you must calculate xI sI xII and sII.

xI = (103+94+110+87+98)/5 = 98.4 xII = (97+82+123+92+175+88+118)/7 = 110.7

Use this equation to calculate the variance: s 

2
n
xi  x 2 
i 1 n 1

sI = 8.375 sII = 32.185

 Problem 6 (Proportion)
Compute a 98% confidence interval for the proportion of defective
items in a process when it is found that a sample of size 100 yields 8
defectives.
Explanation:
You are asked to compute a confidence interval for the proportion of defects. So use the following:
  
x

p  z / 2
pq p qˆ  1  pˆ
n
n
 Problem 7 (Proportion)
A manufacturer of compact disk players uses a set of comprehensive tests to access the electrical function
of its product. All compact disk players must pass all tests prior to being sold. A random sample of 500
disk players resulted in 15 failing one or more tests.
Find a 90% confidence interval for the proportion of compact disk players from the population that will pass
the test.
Explanation:
You are asked to compute a confidence interval for the proportion disk that will PASS. So use the following:
  
x

p  z / 2
pq p qˆ  1  pˆ
n
n

Read carefully!!!! You are asked to

create an interval for disk that will
PASS but you are giving failing disk
info. So if 15 out of 500 failed, 485
out of 500 passed
 Problem 8 (Single Estimation)
An electrical firm manufactures light bulbs that have a length of life
that, is approximately normally distributed with a standard deviation of
40 hours. A sample of 30 bulbs and has an average life of 780 hours
Find a 96% confidence interval for the population mean of all bulbs
produced by this firm.
Explanation:
You are asked to compute a confidence interval using one sample of light bulbs. You use the single estimation
equation for s known because the actual standard deviation is given. Also n is equal to exactly 30 so you can use
the following equation because one or both of the conditions (s known and n is large) is met.
s  s 
X  z / 2      X  z / 2  
 n  n
Problem 8
s  s 
X  z / 2      X  z / 2  
 n  n
 Problem 9 (Single Estimation)
Many cardiac patients wear implanted pacemakers to control their heartbeat. A plastic connector
module mounts on the top of the pacemaker. Assuming a standard deviation of 0.0015 and an
approximate normal distribution, find a 95% confidence interval for the mean of all connector
modules made by a certain manufacturing company. A random sample of 75 modules has an
average of 0.310 inch.

Explanation:
You are asked to compute a confidence interval for the mean of connector modules. You use the single estimation
equation for s known because the actual standard deviation is given. Also n larger than 30 so you can use the
following equation because one or both of the conditions (s known and n is large) is met.
s  s 
X  z / 2      X  z / 2  
 n  n
Problem 9
 Problem 10 (Single Estimation)
A machine is producing metal pieces that are cylindrical in shape. A
sample of 7 pieces is taken with an average diameter of 1.0056 and a
sample standard deviation of 0.0245.
Find a 99% confidence interval for the mean diameter of pieces from
this machine, assuming an approximate normal distribution.
Explanation:
You are asked to compute a confidence interval for the mean the piece diameter. You use the single estimation
equation for s unknown because a SAMPLE standard deviation is given. Also n is small (less than 30). Because s is
unknown AND n is small you use:
 s   s 
X  t / 2,n 1      X  t / 2,n 1  
 n  n
Degrees of freedom = v = n-1
Problem 10 Solution
Degrees of freedom = v = n-1
 Problem 11 (Single Estimation)
A random sample of 12 shearing pins is taken in a study of the Rockwell hardness of
the head on the pin. Measurements on the Rockwell hardness were made for each
of the 12, yielding an average value of 48.50 with a sample standard deviation of
1.5.
Assuming the measurements to be normally distributed, construct a 90%
confidence interval for the mean Rockwell hardness.
Explanation:
You are asked to compute a confidence interval for the mean the piece diameter. You use the single estimation
equation for s unknown because a SAMPLE standard deviation is given. Also n is small (less than 30). Because s is
unknown AND n is small you use:
 s   s 
X  t / 2,n 1      X  t / 2,n 1  
 n  n
Degrees of freedom = v = n-1
Problem 11 Solution
Degrees of freedom = v = n-1