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Sampling Distribution Practice Problems Solutions

The document contains 4 practice problems involving sampling distributions. Each problem provides sample data and asks questions to calculate probabilities based on the sample mean or proportion. The solutions find the distribution parameters like mean and standard error, then use the normal distribution to calculate probabilities that the sample statistic falls within or exceeds certain values based on the population parameters.

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Michael Brian Torres
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377 views

Sampling Distribution Practice Problems Solutions

The document contains 4 practice problems involving sampling distributions. Each problem provides sample data and asks questions to calculate probabilities based on the sample mean or proportion. The solutions find the distribution parameters like mean and standard error, then use the normal distribution to calculate probabilities that the sample statistic falls within or exceeds certain values based on the population parameters.

Uploaded by

Michael Brian Torres
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sampling Distribution Practice Problems Solutions

1. The company JCrew advertises that 95% of its online orders ship within two working
days. You select a random sample of 200 of the 10,000 orders received over the past month to
audit. The audit reveals that 180 of these orders shipped on time. This is a categorical problem
(sample proportion).

a. What is the sample proportion of orders shipped on time?

= 180/200 = 0.9

b. Does the sample data satisfy conditions necessary for the sample proportion to follow an
approximately normal distribution?

np >= 5, 10, or 15 and n(1-p) >= 5, 10, or 15


n=200,
= 0.9, p=0.95 (real number that ship on time according to JCrew)
(200)(0.95) = 190
(200)(1-0.95) = 10
Yes, conditions are satisfied

c. What is the mean and standard error (SE) of the sample distribution assuming normal?

mean = p = 0.95
SE = square root of [p(1-p)/n] = square root of [(0.95)(1-0.95)/200] = 0.015

d. If JCrew really ships 95% of its orders on time, what is probability that the proportion in a
random sample of 200 orders is as small or smaller as the proportion in the audit?

P(
<= 0.9) when n=200. P(Z <=(
- p)/SE) = P(Z <=(0.9 - 0.95/0.015) = P(Z <= -3.33). Closest to
this on from the Standard Normal Table is -3.09, P = 0.001. Thus, P(Z <= -3.33) is less than
0.001.

e. If we treated the problem as a binomial, how would the problem be set up? That is, what
would we want to find the probability of?

Trials would be 200, successes would be 180. P(X <= 180).

1
2. A Gallup poll found that for those Americans who have lost weight, 31% believed the most
effective strategy involved exercise. What is the probability that from random sample of 300
Americans the sample proportion falls between 29% and 33%? Categorical (sample proportion).

n = 300, p = 0.31
np = (300)(0.31) = 90
n(1-p) = (300)(1-0.31) = 210
Both >= 5, 10 or 15
P(0.29 <=
<= 0.33) = P(
<= 0.33) P(
<= 0.29)
SE = square root of [(0.31)(0.69)/300] = 0.0267
P(Z<= (0.33 0.31)/0.0267) P(Z <= (0.29 0.31)/0.0267)
P(Z<= 0.75) P(Z <= - 0.75)

From the Standard Normal Table, we find these two probabilities to be:
0.7734 0.2266 = 0.5468

3. A bottling company uses a machine to fill the bottles with olive oil. The bottles are designed
to contain 475 milliliters (ml). In fact, the contents vary according to a normal distribution with
a mean of 473 ml and standard deviation of 3 ml. Quantitative (sample mean).

a. What is the distribution, mean, and standard error of the sample mean of six randomly
selected bottles?

Distribution is normal, sample mean should be normal with a mean = = 473, SE =


sigma/square root of n = 3/6 = 1.22.

b. What is the probability that the mean of six bottles is less than 470 ml?

P(
< 470) = P(Z < (
)/SE) = P(Z < (470-473)/1.22) = P(Z < - 0.246). From the Standard
Normal Table we find P(Z < - 0.246) = 0.0069.

c. What is probability that the mean of six bottles is more than 475 ml?

P(
> 475) = P(Z > (
)/SE) = P(Z > (475-473)/1.22) = P(Z > 1.64 ) = 1 P(Z < 1.64). From the
Standard Normal Table for P(Z < 1.64) 0.9495 resulting in final probability of 1 0.9495 =
0.0505

2
4. Penn State Fleet which operates and manages car rentals for Penn State employees found
that the tire lifetime for their vehicles has a mean of 50,000 miles and standard deviation of
3500 miles. Quantitative (sample mean).

a. What would be the distribution, mean and standard error mean lifetime of a random sample
of 50 vehicles?

Mean = = 50,000, sigma = 3500.


We cant assume this is normal so have to go for the second assumption. Our sample will
have to be larger than 30. Our sample is 50, so this works.
n = 50 which is > 30, so we can assume sample mean to be approximately normal with mean
= = 50,000 and SE = sigma/sr of n = 3500/50 = 495.

b. What is the probability that the sample mean lifetime for these 50 vehicles exceeds 52,000?

P(
> 52,000) = P(Z > (
)/SE) = P(Z > (52,000 - 50,000)/495) = P(Z > 4.04). From the
Standard Normal Table we it only goes to 3.09, cumulative probability of 0.999. P(Z > 4.04) = 1
- 0.999 = 0.001. P(Z > 4.04) is less than 0.001.

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