Estimates

Population Average

Confidence interval μ when you knowσ 2 (on≥30)

σ σ
X −Z α /2 ❑ < μ< X + Z α/ 2 ❑
√n √n
Examples:

1. It is found that the average concentration of zinc obtained in a sample of

measurements at 36 different sites in a river is 2.6 grams per milliliter.
Calculate the 95% and 99% confidence intervals for the mean zinc
concentration in the river. Assume that the population standard deviation is
0.3 grams per milliliter.

n=36
mean= 2.6
nc= 95%
s=0.3 The average zinc concentration in the river at a 95%
Z1=1.96 significance level is between 2.4713 and 2.7288.
Z2=2.575

The average zinc concentration in the river at a 99%

significance level is between 2.7288 and 2.4713.
2. In a psychological testing experiment, 25 subjects are randomly selected
and their reaction times, in seconds, to a particular stimulus are measured.
Experience suggests that the variance in reaction times to different types of
stimuli is 4 s2 and that the distribution of reaction time is approximately
normal. The average time for the subjects was 6.2 seconds. Calculate a
95% upper limit for the mean reaction time.

n=25
s=2
nc=95% The average reaction time to a particular stimulus is between
average= 6.2 1.8160 and 3.3849 for a 95% significance level.

Z=1.96

3. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) mathematics scores are obtained from a

random sample of 500 high school seniors in the state of Texas. The
sample mean and standard deviation are calculated, which are 501 and
112, respectively. Compute a 99% confidence interval for the average SAT
mathematics score for high school seniors in the state of Texas.

n=500
mean=501
s=112
nc=99% The average SAT math score for high school seniors in
Z=2.575 the state of Texas is between 488.1024 and 513.8976
at the 99% confidence level.

Confidence interval μ when you don't knowσ 2 and n < 30

 s s
X −t α/2 ❑ < μ< X + t α /2 ❑
√n √n
Examples:
4. The sulfuric acid content of 7 similar containers is 9.8, 10.2, 10.4, 9.8, 10.0,
10.2, and 9.6 liters. Calculate a 95% confidence interval for the average
contents of all containers assuming an approximately normal distribution.
n=7
average=10
s=0.2828
nc=95% The average sulfuric acid content of all containers is
between the values 9.7384 and 10.2626 at a significance
t=2.447 level of 95%

5. A machine produces cylindrical metal parts. A sample of the pieces is taken

and the diameters are 1.01, 0.97, 1.03, 1.04, 0.99, 0.98, 0.99, 1.01 and 1.03
centimeters. Calculate a 99% confidence interval for the mean diameter of
the parts manufactured with this machine. Assume an approximately normal
distribution
n=9
average=1.0056
s=0.0246
nc=99%
t=3.355 The average diameter of the metal parts is between the
values o.7580 and 1.2532 at a confidence level of 99%
 6. The following measurements of the drying time, in hours, of a certain brand
of vinyl paint are recorded:

3.4, 2.5, 4.8, 2.9, 3.6, 2.8, 3.3, 5.6, 3.7, 2.8, 4.4, 4.0, 5.2, 3.0, 4.8

Assume that the measurements represent a random sample of a normal

population and based on this calculate the 95% confidence interval for the
drying time of the following paint test.
n=15
average=3.7867
s=0.9709
nc=95%
t=2.145 The average drying time in hours for a certain brand of vinyl
paint is between the values 3.2490 and 4.3244 for a 95%
confidence level.

Population proportion

Confidence interval for p from a large sample ( n ≥ 30)

√
^p−Z α/ 2 ❑
^p q^
n √
< P< ^p + Z α /2 ❑
^p q^
n
7. In a random sample of n = 500 families that have televisions in the city of
Hamilton, Canada, it is found that x = 340 subscribe to HBO. Calculate a
95% confidence interval for the actual proportion of households that own
televisions in this city and subscribe to HBO.
n=500
x=340
nc=95%

The actual proportion of families that have televisions in this city and
subscribe to HBO in the city of Hamilton, Canada is between the
values 0.6391 and 0.7209 for a 95% confidence interval.

8. A random
sample of 200 voters in a city is selected
and it is found that 114 support an
annexation suit. Calculate the 96% confidence interval for the portion of the
voting population that favors the trial. What can we say with 96% confidence
about the possible magnitude of our error, if we estimate that the fraction of
voters who are in favor of the annexation trial is 0.57?
One Sample Hypothesis Test

10.30 A random sample of 100 deaths recorded in the United States last year
revealed an average lifespan of 71.8 years. Assuming a population standard
deviation of 8.9 years, does this seem to indicate that the current half-life is greater
than 70 years? Use a significance level of 0.05.

10.40 Suppose an engineer is interested in testing the bias in a pH meter. Data are
collected for a neutral substance (pH = 7.0). A sample of measurements is taken
and the data is as follows:
7.07 7.00 7.10 6.97 7.00 7.03 7.01 7.01 6.98 7.08
H 0 : μ=7

H1: μ ≠ 7

10.19 In a research report, Richard H. Weindruch of the UCLA School of Medicine

says that mice with an average lifespan of 32 months will live to about 40 months if
40% of the calories in their diet are replaced with vitamins and protein. Is there
any reason to believe that μ < 40, if 64 mice that are subjected to that diet have an
average lifespan of 38 months, with a standard deviation of 5.8 months? Use a P
value in your conclusion.

H 0 : μ ¿ 40

H 1 : μ <40

10.20 A random sample of 64 bags of cheddar popcorn weigh, on average, 5.23

ounces, with a standard deviation of 0.24 ounces. Test the hypothesis that μ = 5.5
ounces against the alternative hypothesis that μ < 5.5 ounces, at the 0.05
significance level.

H 0 : μ ¿5.5

H 1 : μ <5.5

5.23−5.5
Ζ= = -9 Rejected H 0
0.24/√ 64

P value = 0.0030
10.21 An electrical equipment company manufactures light bulbs that have a
duration that is distributed
approximately normally with a mean of 800 hours and a standard deviation of 40
hours. Test the hypothesis that μ = 800 hours against the alternative that μ ≠ 800
hours, if a random sample of 30 light bulbs has an average lifespan of 788 hours.
Use a P value in your answer.

H 0 : μ=800

H 1 : μ ≠ 800

788−800
Ζ= = -1.6432
40 /√ 30

P value = 0.1010 Not rejected H 0

10.22 In the American Heart Association's Hypertension journal , researchers

report that individuals who practice transcendental meditation (TM) lower their
blood pressure significantly. If a random sample of 225 men who practice TM
meditate 8.5 hours per week, with a standard deviation of 2.25 hours, does this
suggest that, on average, men who use TM meditate more than 8 hours per week?
Cite a P value in your conclusion.

H0 : μ ¿ 8

H 1 : μ >8

8.5−8
Ζ= = 3.3333
2.25 /√ 225

P value = 0.0004 Rejected H 0

There is not enough information to confirm that men who use TM meditate less
than 8 hours per week.

10.23 Test the hypothesis that the average content of containers of a specific
lubricant is 10 liters, if the contents of a random sample of 10 containers are: 10.2,
9.7, 10.1, 10.3, 10.1, 9.8, 9.9, 10.4, 10.3 and 9.8 liters. Use a significance level of
0.01 and assume that the content distribution is normal.

H 0 : μ=10

H 1 : μ ≠ 10

10.06−10
t= = 0.7716
0.2458 ∕ √ 10
critical t =3.250 Not rejected H 0

It cannot be stated that the average content of the containers of a specific lubricant
is different from 10 liters.

10.24 The average height of women in the first-year group at a certain university
has historically been 162.5 centimeters, with a standard deviation of 6.9
centimeters. Is there any reason to believe that there has been a change in
average height if a random sample of 50 women from the current freshman class
has an average height of 165.2 centimeters? Use a P value in your conclusion.
Assume that the standard deviation remains constant.

H 0 : μ=162.5

H 1 : μ ≠ 162.5

165.2−162.5
Ζ= = 2.7669
6.9/√ 50

P value = 0.0056 Rejected H 0

There is not enough information to believe that there has not been a change in
average height.

10.25 It is stated that automobiles travel on average more than 20,000 kilometers
per year. To test this claim, a randomly selected sample of 100 car owners is
asked to keep a record of the kilometers they travel. Would you agree with this
statement if the random sample indicated an average of 23,500 kilometers and a
standard deviation of 3900 kilometers? Use a P value in your conclusion.
 H 0 : μ ¿ 20000

H 1 : μ >200000

23500−20000
Ζ= = 8.9743
3900/√ 100

P value = 0.0056 Rejected H 0

There is not enough information to say that they travel on average more than
20,000 kilometers.

10.26 According to a diet study, high sodium intake is related to ulcers, stomach
cancer, and migraines. The human requirement for salt is only 220 milligrams per
day, which is exceeded in most individual servings of ready-to-eat cereals. If a
random sample of 20 similar servings of a certain cereal has a mean sodium
content of 244 milligrams and a standard deviation of 24.5 milligrams, this
suggests, at the 0.05 level of significance, that the average sodium content for
individual servings of Is that cereal greater than 220 milligrams? Assume that the
distribution of sodium contents is normal.
H 0 : μ ¿ 220

H 1 : μ >220

244−220
t= = 4.3809
24.5 ∕ √ 20

P value = 0 Reject H 0

There is not enough information to say that the average sodium content for
individual servings of that cereal is less than 220 milligrams.
10.55 A marketing expert from a pasta manufacturing company believes that 40% of pasta lovers
prefer lasagna. If 9 out of 20 pasta lovers choose lasagna over other pastas, what can you conclude
about the expert's claim? Use a significance level of 0.05

H 0 : P=0.40

H 1 : P ≠ 0.40

0.0500
Ζ= =0.500
0.1000
critical z= 1.645

not rejected H 0

10.56 Suppose that, in the past, 40% of all adults were in favor of capital punishment. Is there any
reason to believe that the proportion of adults who favor capital punishment has increased if, in a
random sample of 15 adults, 8 are in favor of capital punishment? Use a significance level of 0.05.

H 0 : P≤ 0. 40

H 1 : P> 0.40

0.1333
Ζ= =-1.1599
−0.1153

Critical Z = 1.645

not rejected H 0
10.57 A new radar device is being considered for use in a certain missile defense system. The
system is verified by experimenting with an aircraft in which a situation is simulated in which
someone dies and another in which no death occurs. If 250 deaths occur in 300 trials, at the 0.04
significance level, accept or reject the statement that the probability of a death with the new
system does not exceed the probability of 0.8 for the system currently used.

H 0 : P≤ 0. 8 0

H 1 : P> 0. 8 0

0.0333
Ζ= =1.1599
0.0447

P-value= 0.0746

not rejected H 0

10.58 It is believed that at least 60% of the residents of a certain area are in favor of an annexation
demand from a neighboring city. What conclusion would you draw if only 110 in a sample of 200
voters are in favor of the lawsuit? Use a significance level of 0.05.

H 0 : P≤ 0. 6 0

H 1 : P> 0. 6 0

Ζ = -1.4434

Z Critical = 1.645

not rejected H 0
10.59 An oil company claims that in one-fifth of the homes in a certain city, people use oil as fuel
to heat them. Is there reason to believe that less than a fifth of the homes people use this fuel for
heating if, in a random sample of 1,000 homes in that city, 136 are found to use oil as fuel? Use a P
value in your conclusion.

H 0 : P≥ 0. 2 0

H 1 : P< 0. 20

Ζ =-5.0596

P-value= 0

not rejected H 0

10.60 At a certain university it is estimated that at most 25% of the students ride bicycles to
school. Does this seem like a valid estimate if, in a random sample of 90 college students, 28 are
found to ride their bikes to school? Use a significance level of 0.05.

H 0 : P=0.2 5

H 1 : P ≠ 0.2 5

Ζ =1.2961

Z critical = 1.96

not rejected H 0
Hypothesis test with 2 samples

10.31 A manufacturer claims that the average tensile strength of yarn A exceeds the average
tensile strength of yarn B by at least 12 kilograms. To test this claim, 50 pieces of each type of
thread were tested under similar conditions. Type A yarn had an average tensile strength of 86.7
kilograms with a standard deviation of 6.28 kilograms; while type B yarn had an average tensile
strength of 77.8 kilograms with a standard deviation of 5.61 kilograms. Test the manufacturer's
claim using a 0.05 significance level.

10.28 According to Chemical Engineering, an important property of fiber is its water absorbency.
The average percent absorption of 25 randomly selected pieces of cotton fiber was found to be 20,
with a standard deviation of 1.5. A random sample of 25 pieces of acetate revealed an average
percentage of 12 with a standard deviation of 1.25. Is there strong evidence that the average
population absorption rate is significantly higher for cotton fiber than for acetate? Assume that
the percent absorbency is nearly normally distributed and that the population variances in percent
absorbency for the two fibers are equal. Use a significance level of 0.05.

10.32 Amstat News (December 2004) lists average salaries for associate professors of statistics at
research institutions, liberal arts schools, and other institutions in the United States. Suppose a
sample of 200 associate professors at research institutions have a mean salary of $70,750 annually
with a standard deviation of $6000. Suppose also that a sample of 200 associate professors from
other types of institutions have a mean salary of $65,200 with a standard deviation of $5000. Test
the hypothesis that the average salary of associate professors at research institutions is $2,000
higher than that of professors at other institutions. Use a significance level of 0.01.

10.39 The following data represent the running times of films produced by 2 film companies:
Test the hypothesis that the average length of the films produced by Company 2 exceeds the
average length of those produced by Company 1 by 10 minutes, against the one-sided alternative
that the difference is less than 10 minutes. Use a significance level of 0.1 and assume that the
duration distributions are approximately normal with equal variances.

10.35 To investigate whether a new serum slows the development of leukemia, 9 mice are
selected, all in an advanced stage of the disease. Five mice receive the treatment and four do not.
The survival times, in years, from the time the experiment begins are as follows:

At a significance level of 0.05, can we say that the serum is effective? Assume that the two
populations are normally distributed with equal variances.

10.38 A UCLA researcher claims that the average lifespan of mice can be extended by up to 8
months when the calories in their diet are reduced by approximately 40% from the time they are
weaned. Restricted diets are enriched to normal levels with vitamins and proteins. Suppose that a
random sample of 10 mice that have an average lifespan of 32.1 months with a standard deviation
of 3.2 months are fed a normal diet, while a random sample of 15 mice that have an average
lifespan of 37.6 months With a standard deviation of 2.8 months, they are fed the restricted diet.
At a significance level of 0.05, test the hypothesis that the average lifespan of mice on this
restricted diet increases by 8 months, against the alternative that the increase is less than 8
months. Assume that the distributions of life expectancy on the regular and restricted diets are
approximately normal with equal variances.

10.40 In a study conducted at Virginia Tech, plasma ascorbic acid levels in pregnant smoking
women were compared with those in non-smoking women. For the study, 32 women were
selected who were in the last 3 months of pregnancy, who did not have significant illnesses and
whose ages ranged between 15 and 32 years. Before taking 20 ml blood samples, participants
were asked to fast, not take their vitamin supplements, and avoid foods high in ascorbic acid.
From the blood samples, the following values of ascorbic acid in the plasma of each woman were
determined, in milligrams per 100 milliliters:
Is there enough evidence to conclude that there is a difference between the plasma ascorbic acid
levels of smoking and non-smoking women? Assume that the two sets of data come from normal
populations with different variances. Use a P value.

10.42 Five samples of a ferrous substance were used to determine whether there is a difference
between a laboratory chemical analysis and an x-ray fluorescence analysis of iron content. Each
sample was divided into two subsamples and both types of analyzes were applied. Below is the
coded data showing the iron content analyses:

Assume that the populations are normal and test, at the 0.05 level of significance, whether the
two methods of analysis give, on average, the same result.