Tutorial 5: Point Estimation of Parameters, Statistical Intervals for a Single Sample
Problem I: An engineer is analyzing the compressive strength of concrete. Compressive
strength is normally distributed with σ2 = 1000 (psi)2. A random sample of 12 specimens has
a mean compressive strength of = 3250 psi.
(a) Construct a 95% two-sided confidence interval on mean compressive strength.
(b) Construct a 99% two-sided confidence interval on mean compressive strength. Compare
the width of this confidence interval with the width on the one found in part (a).
(c) Suppose that it is desired to estimate the compressive strength with an error that is less
than 15 psi at 99% confidence. What sample size should be used?
Problem II: Point Estimation of Parameters
1) The Central Limit Theorem says that if the sample size n is large, then
a) the sample mean is equal to the population mean
b) the distribution of the data becomes normal
c) the sample mean is approximately normally distributed
d) the distribution of sample mean is standard normal
2) The Central Limit Theorem states if the sample size, n, is large then
a) the distribution of the observations (the sample data) is approximately normal
b) the distribution of the observations is approximately the standard normal
c) the distribution of the sample mean is approximately the standard normal
d) the distribution of the sample mean is approximately normal
e) the distribution of the population mean is approximately the standard normal
3) The weight of a manufactured product has a normal probability distribution with a mean
of 6 ounces and a standard deviation of 2.5 ounces. Which of the following statements is
true regarding the sampling distribution of for samples of size n = 15?
A) The mean of the sampling distribution is 6 ounces
B) The standard deviation of the sampling distribution is 2.5 ounces
C) The form of the sampling distribution is approximately normal
D) both (A) and (B)
E) None of the above choices represents a suitable response
4) When samples of size 25 are collected from a normal population that has a mean of 100
and a standard deviation of 20, the sampling distribution of will have a standard
deviation of
A) 100
B) 4
C) 16
D) 5
E) None of the above choices represents a suitable response
5) When samples of size 10 are collected from a normal population, the sampling
distribution of will be
A) normal
B) skewed to the right
C) skewed to the left
D) symmetric, but not normal
E) The form of the sampling distribution cannot be determined from the information
provided.
Problem III: Statistical Intervals for a Single Sample
1. The confidence associated with an interval estimate is called the
a. significance
b. degree of association
c. confidence level
d. precision
e. None of the above answers is correct.
2. As the number of degrees of freedom for a t distribution increases, the difference between
the t distribution and the standard normal distribution
a. becomes larger
b. becomes smaller
c. stays the same
d. None of the above answers is correct.
3. For the interval estimation of when is known and the sample is large, the proper
distribution to use is
a. the normal distribution
b. the t distribution with n degrees of freedom
c. the t distribution with n - 1 degrees of freedom
d. the t distribution with n - 2 degrees of freedom
e. None of the above answers is correct.
4. Whenever the population standard deviation is unknown and the population has a normal
or near-normal distribution, which distribution is used in developing an interval estimation?
a. standard distribution
b. z distribution
c. beta distribution
d. t distribution
e. None of the above answers is correct.
5. The t distribution is applicable whenever
a. the sample is considered large (n 30).
b. the population is normal and the sample standard deviation is used to estimate
the population standard deviation
c. both a and b
d. None of the above answers is correct.
6. A sample of 100 elements from a population is selected, and the standard deviation of the
sample is computed. For an interval estimation of , the proper distribution to use is
the
a. normal distribution
b. t distribution with 100 degrees of freedom
c. t distribution with 99 degrees of freedom
d. None of the above answers is correct.
7. For which of the following values of P is the value of P(1 - P) maximized?
a. P = 0.99
b. P = 0.90
c. P = 0.01
d. P = 0.50
e. None of the above answers is correct.
8. The ability of an interval estimate to contain the value of the population parameter is
described by the
a. confidence level
b. degrees of freedom
c. precise value of the population mean
d. None of the above answers is correct.
9. If we change a 95% confidence interval estimate to a 99% confidence interval estimate, we
can expect
a. the size of the confidence interval to increase
b. the size of the confidence interval to decrease
c. the size of the confidence interval to remain the same
d. the sample size to increase
e. None of the above answers is correct.
10. In determining the sample size necessary to estimate a population proportion, which of
the following information is not needed?
a. the maximum margin of error that can be tolerated
b. the confidence level required
c. a preliminary estimate of the true population proportion P
d. the mean of the population
e. None of the above answers is correct.
Solutions:
Problem I:
(a) Construct a 95% two-sided confidence interval on mean compressive strength.
95% two sided CI on the mean compressive strength
z/2 = z0.025 = 1.96, and x = 3250, 2 = 1000, n=12
x z0.025 x z0.025
n n
(b) Construct a 99% two-sided confidence interval on mean compressive strength. Compare the width of this
confidence interval with the width on the one found in part (a).
99% Two-sided CI on the true mean compressive strength
z/2 = z0.005 = 2.58
This interval is wider (since we are looking at a larger confidence level).
(c) Suppose that it is desired to estimate the compressive strength with an error that is less than 15 psi at 99%
confidence. What sample size should be used?
99% Confident that the error of estimating the true compressive strength is less than 15 psi.
For = 0.01, z/2 = z0.005 = 2.58 , and =31.62 , E=15
Therefore, n=30
Problem II: Point Estimation of Parameters
1) c
2) d
3) a
4) b
5) a
since we started with a normal population, a small sample ( les than 30) will also lead to a
normal distribution.
Problem III: Statistical Intervals for a Single Sample
1. c 2. B 3. a 4. d 5. b
6. a 7. d 8. a 9. a 10. d
