Statistics 1 – Problem Set on Statistical Estimation (with Answer Key)

1. Give an example of estimators (or estimates) that are (a) unbiased and efficient, (b) unbiased and inefficient, and (c) biased
and inefficient.
Solution:
𝑁
a) The sample mean 𝑋̅ and the modified sample variance 𝑠̂ 2 = 𝑠 2 are two such examples.
𝑁−1
1
b) The sample median and the sample statistic (𝑄1 + 𝑄3 ), where 𝑄1 and 𝑄3 are the lower and upper sample quartiles, are
2
two such examples. Both statistics are unbiased estimates of the population mean, since the mean of their sampling
distributions is the population mean.
c) The sample standard deviation 𝑠, the modified standard deviation 𝑠̂ , the mean deviation, and the semi-interquartile range
are four such example
2. In a sample of five measurements, the diameter of a sphere was recorded by a scientist as 6.33, 6.37, 6.36, 6.32, and 6.37
centimeters (cm). Determine unbiased and efficient estimates of (a) the true mean and (b) the true variance.
Solution:
a) The unbiased and efficient estimate of the true mean (i.e., the populations mean) is
1 6.33 + 6.37 + 6.36 + 6.32 + 6.37
𝑋̅ = ∑ 𝑋 = = 6.35 𝑐𝑚
𝑁 5
b) The unbiased and efficient estimate of the true variance (i.e., the population variance) is

𝑁 1 (6.33 − 6.35)2 + ⋯ + (6.37 − 6.35)2

𝑠̂ 2 = 𝑠2 = ∑(𝑋 − 𝑋̅)2 = = 0.00055 𝑐𝑚2
𝑁−1 𝑁−1 5−1
Note that although 𝑠̂ = √0.00055 = 0.023 𝑐𝑚 is an estimate of the true standard deviation, this estimate is neither
unbiased nor efficient.
3. Suppose that the heights of 100 male students at Hogwarts University represent a random sample of the heights of all 1546
students at the university. Determine unbiased and efficient estimates of (a) the true mean and (b) the true variance.
Solution:
Heights of 100 male students at Hogwarts University
Height (in) Number of students
60-62 5
63-65 18
66-68 42
69-71 27
72-74 8
Total=100
a) The unbiased and efficient estimate of the true mean height is 𝑋̅ = 67.45 inches (in).
b) The unbiased and efficient estimate of the true variance is
𝑁 100
𝑠̂ 2 = 𝑠2 = (8.5275) = 8.6136
𝑁−1 99
Thus 𝑠̂ = √8.6136 = 2.93 𝑖𝑛.
4. Measurements of a sample of masses were determined to be 8.3, 10.6, 9.7, 8.8, 10.2, and 9.4 kilograms (kg), respectively.
Determine unbiased and efficient estimates of (a) the population mean and (b) the population variance, and (c) compare the
sample standard deviation with the estimated population standard deviation.
Solution:
a) 9.5 𝑘𝑔;
b) 0.74 𝑘𝑔2 ;
c) 0.78 𝑘𝑔 and 0.86 𝑘𝑔, respectively.
5. A sample of 10 television tubes produced by a company showed a mean lifetime of 1200 hours (h) and a standard deviation
of 100 h. Estimate (a) the mean and (b) the standard deviation of the population of all television tubes produced by this
company.
Solution:
a) 1200 ℎ;
10
b) 𝑠̂ = √ (100)2 = 105.4 ℎ.
9
6. The mean and standard deviation of the maximum loads supported by 60 cables are given by 11.09 tons and 0.73 ton,
respectively. Find the (a) 95% and (b) 99% confidence limits for the mean of the maximum loads of all cables produced by
the company.
Solution:
a) 11.09 ± 0.18 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠;
b) 11.09 ± 0.24 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠.
7. The mean and standard deviation of the diameters of a sample of 250 rivet heads manufactured by a company are 0.72642 in
and 0.00058 in, respectively. Find the (a) 99%, (b) 98%, (c) 95%, and (d) 90% confidence limits for the mean diameter of all
the rivet heads manufactured by the company.
Solution:
a) 0.72642 ± 0.000095 𝑖𝑛;
b) 0.72642 ± 0.000085 𝑖𝑛;
c) 0.72642 ± 0.000072 𝑖𝑛;
d) 0.72642 ± 0.000060 𝑖𝑛.
8. A group of 50 internet shoppers were asked how much they spent per year on the Internet. Their responses are shown in the
table below. Find an 80% confidence interval for 𝜇, the mean amount spent by all internet shoppers.

Solution:
80% 𝐶𝐼 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛: (286.064, 322.856).
9. The voltages of 50 batteries of the same type have a mean of 18.2 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠 (𝑉) and a standard deviation of 0.5 𝑉. Find
a) the probable error of the mean and
b) the 50% confidence limits.
Solution:
𝜎 𝑠 0.5
a) 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑧0.25 𝜎𝑋̅ = 0.6745𝜎𝑋̅ = 0.6745 = 0.6745 = 0.6745 ⋅ = 0.048 𝑉
𝑁 √𝑁−1 49
b) The 50% confidence limits are 18 ± 0.048 𝑉.
10. A measurement was recorded as 216.480 grams (g) with a probable error of 0.272 g. What are the 95% confidence limits for
the measurement?
Solution:
The probable error is 0.272 = 0.6745𝜎𝑥̅ , or 𝜎𝑥̅ = 0.272/0.6745. Thus, the 95% confidence limits are
𝑥̅ ± 1.96𝜎𝑥̅ = 216.480 ± 1.96(0.272/0.6745) = 216.480 ± 0.790𝑔.
11. A company has 500 cables. A test of 40 cables selected at random showed a mean breaking strength of 2400 pounds (lb) and
a standard deviation of 150 lb.
a) What are the 95% and 99% confidence limits for estimating the mean breaking strength of the remaining 460 cables?
b) With what degree of confidence could we say that the mean breaking strength of the remaining 460 cables is 2400 ± 35
lb?
Solution:
a) 2400 ± 45 𝑙𝑏, 2400 ± 59 𝑙𝑏;
b) 87.6%.
12. An urn contains an unknown proportion of red and white marbles. A random sample of 60 marbles selected with replacement
from the urn showed that 70% were red. Find the (a) 95%, (b) 99%, and (c) 99.73% confidence limits for the actual
proportion of red marbles in the urn.
Solution:
a) 0.70 ± 0.12, 0.69 ± 0.11
b) 0.70 ± 0.15, 0.68 ± 0.15
c) 0.70 ± 0.18, 0.67 ± 0.17
13. A poll of 1000 individuals over the age of 65 years was taken to determine the percent of the population in this age group
who had an Internet connection. It was found that 387 of the 1000 had an internet connection. Find a 97.5% confidence
interval for 𝑝.
Solution:
97.5% CI for difference: (0.352477, 0.421523).
14. It is believed that an election will result in a very close vote between two candidates. What is the least number of voters that
one should poll in order to be (a) 80%, (b) 90%, (c) 95%, and (d) 99% confident of a decision in favor of either one of the
candidates? (Allowing 𝑒 = 0.005)
Solution:
a) 16,400;
b) 27,100;
c) 38,420;
d) 66,000.
15. The standard deviation of the breaking strengths of 100 cables tested by a company was 180 lb. Find the (a) 95%, (b) 99%,
and (c) 99.73% confidence limits for the standard deviation of all cables produced by the company.
Solution:
a) 158.0413 < 𝜎 < 209.1015
b) 151.9159 < 𝜎 < 219.6074
c) 147.929 < 𝜎 < 227.344
16. The average zinc concentration recovered from a sample of measurements taken in 36 different locations in a river is found to
be 2.6 grams per milliliter. Find the 95% and 99% confidence intervals for the mean zinc concentration in the river. Assume
that the population standard deviation is 0.3 gram per milliliter.
16.1 How large a sample is required if we want to be 95% confident that our estimate of 𝜇 is off by less than 0.05?
Solution:
The 95% confidence interval is 2.50 < 𝜇 < 2.70.
The 99% confidence interval is 2.47 < 𝜇 < 2.73.
2
(19.6)(0.3)
𝑛=[ ] = 138.3
0.05
17. In a psychological testing experiment, 25 subjects are selected randomly and their reaction time, in seconds, to a particular
stimulus is measured. Past experience suggests that the variance in reaction times to these types of stimuli is 4 sec2 and that
the distribution of reaction times is approximately normal. The average time for the subjects is 6.2 seconds. Give an upper
95% bound for the mean reaction time.
Solution:
6.2 + (1.645)√4/25 = 6.858 𝑠𝑒𝑐
Hence, we are 95% confident that the mean reaction time is less than 6.858 seconds.
18. The contents of seven similar containers of sulfuric acid are 9.8, 10.2, 10.4, 9.8, 10.0, 10.2, and 9.6 liters. Find a 95%
confidence interval for the mean contents of all such containers, assuming an approximately normal distribution.
Solution:
0.283
10 ± (2.447) ( )  9.74 < 𝜇 < 10.26.
√7
19. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) mathematics scores of a random sample of 500 high school seniors in the state of Texas are
collected, and the sample mean and standard deviation are found to be 501 and 112, respectively. Find a 99% confidence
interval on the mean SAT mathematics score for seniors in the state of Texas.
Solution:
112
501 ± (2.575) ( )  488.1 < 𝜇 < 513.9.
√500
20. A UCLA researcher claims that the life span of mice can be extended by as much as 25% when the calories in their diet are
reduced by approximately 40% from the time they are weaned. The restricted diet is enriched to normal levels by vitamins
and protein. Assuming that it is known from previous studies that 𝜎 = 5.8 months, how many mice should be included in our
sample if we wish to be 99% confident that the mean life span of the sample will be within 2 months of the population mean
for all mice subjected to this reduced diet?
(2.58)(5.8) 2
Answer: 𝑛 = ( ) ≈ 56
2
21. An electrical firm manufactures light bulbs that have a length of life that is approximately normally distributed with a
standard deviation of 40 hours. If a sample of 30 bulbs has an average life of 780 hours, find a 96% confidence interval for
the population mean of all bulbs produced by this firm.
Answer: 765.002 < 𝜇 < 794.998
22. Many cardiac patients wear an implanted pacemaker to control their heartbeat. A plastic connector module mounts on the top
of the pacemaker. Assuming a standard deviation of 0.0015 inch and an approximately normal distribution, find a 95%
confidence interval for the mean of the depths of all connector modules made by a certain manufacturing company. A
random sample of 75 modules has an average depth of 0.310 inch.
Answer: 0.3097 < 𝜇 < 0.3103
23. The heights of a random sample of 50 college students showed a mean of 174.5 centimeters and a standard deviation of 6.9
centimeters.
a) Construct a 98% confidence interval for the mean height of all college students.
b) What can we assert with 98% confidence about the possible size of our error if we estimate the mean height of all college
students to be 174.5 centimeters?
Answer:
a.) 172.23 < 𝜇 < 176.77
b.) 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 ≤ (2.3263)(6.9/√50) = 2.27
24. A random sample of 100 automobile owners in the state of Virginia shows that an automobile is driven on average 23,500
kilometers per year with a standard deviation of 3900 kilometers. Assume the distribution of measurements to be
approximately normal.
a) Construct a 99% confidence interval for the average number of kilometers an automobile is driven annually in Virginia.
b) What can we assert with 99% confidence about the possible size of our error if we estimate the average number of
kilometers driven by car owners in Virginia to be 23,500 kilometers per year?
Answer:
a) 22, 496 < 𝜇 < 24, 504
b) 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 ≤ 1004
25. An efficiency expert wishes to determine the average time that it takes to drill three holes in a certain metal clamp. How large
a sample will she need to be 95% confident that her sample mean will be within 15 seconds of the true mean? Assume that it
is known from previous studies that 𝜎 = 40 seconds.
(1.96)(40) 2
Answer: 𝑛 = ( ) ≈ 28
15
26. A random sample of 12 graduates of a certain secretarial school typed an average of 79.3 words per minute with a standard
deviation of 7.8 words per minute. Assuming a normal distribution for the number of words typed per minute, find a 95%
confidence interval for the average number of words typed by all graduates of this school.
Answer: 74.89 < 𝜇 < 83.71
27. A machine produces metal pieces that are cylindrical in shape. A sample of pieces is taken, and the diameters are found to be
1.01, 0.97, 1.03, 1.04, 0.99, 0.98, 0.99, 1.01, and 1.03 centimeters. Find a 99% confidence interval for the mean diameter of
pieces from this machine, assuming an approximately normal distribution.
Answer:
𝑠
𝑥̅ ± (3.355) ( )  0.978 < 𝜇 < 1.033
√9
28. A random sample of 10 chocolate energy bars of a certain brand has, on average, 230 calories per bar, with a standard
deviation of 15 calories. Construct a 99% confidence interval for the true mean calorie content of this brand of energy bar.
Assume that the distribution of the calorie content is approximately normal.
Answer: 214.58 < 𝜇 < 245.42
29. A random sample of 12 shearing pins is taken in a study of the Rockwell hardness of the pin head. Measurements on the
Rockwell hardness are 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.
Answer:
48.50 ± (1.796)(1.5/√12)  47.722 < 𝜇 < 49.278
30. Regular consumption of presweetened cereals contributes to tooth decay, heart disease, and other degenerative diseases,
according to studies conducted by Dr. W. H. Bowen of the National Institute of Health and Dr. J. Yudben, Professor of
Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of London. In a random sample consisting of 20 similar single servings of Alpha-
Bits, the average sugar content was 11.3 grams with a standard deviation of 2.45 grams. Assuming that the sugar contents are
normally distributed, construct a 95% confidence interval for the mean sugar content for single servings of Alpha-Bits.
Answer:
11.3 ± (2.093)(2.45/√20)  10.15 < 𝜇 < 12.45
31. In a random sample of 𝑛 = 500 families owning television sets in the city of Hamilton, Canada, it is found that x = 340
subscribe to HBO. Find a 95% confidence interval for the actual proportion of families with television sets in this city that
subscribe to HBO.
Answer:
(0.68)(0.32)
0.68 ± (1.96)√  0.639 < 𝑝 < 0.721
500
32. In a random sample of 1000 homes in a certain city, it is found that 228 are heated by oil. Find 99% confidence intervals for
the proportion of homes in this city that are heated by oil.
Answer:
(0.228)(0.772)
0.228 ± (2.58)√  0.194 < 𝑝 < 0.262
1000
33. (a) A random sample of 200 voters in a town is selected, and 114 are found to support an annexation suit. Find the 96%
confidence interval for the fraction of the voting population favoring the suit.
(b) What can we assert with 96% confidence about the possible size of our error if we estimate the fraction of voters favoring
the annexation suit to be 0.57?
Answer:
(0.57)(0.43)
a) 0.57 ± (2.449)√  0.484 < 𝑝 < 0.656
200
b) 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 ≤ 0.0857
34. The following are the weights, in decagrams, of 10 packages of grass seed distributed by a certain company: 46.4, 46.1, 45.8,
47.0, 46.1, 45.9, 45.8, 46.9, 45.2, and 46.0. Find a 95% confidence interval for the variance of the weights of all such
packages of grass seed distributed by this company, assuming a normal population.
Answer:
0.1354 < 𝜎 2 < 0.9541
35. A manufacturer of car batteries claims that the batteries will last, on average, 3 years with a variance of 1 year. If 5 of these
batteries have lifetimes of 1.9, 2.4, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.2 years, construct a 95% confidence interval for 𝜎 2 and decide if the
manufacturer’s claim that 𝜎 2 = 1 is valid. Assume the population of battery lives to be approximately normally distributed.
Answer:
0.2926 < 𝜎 2 < 6.7359
36. A random sample of 20 students yielded a mean of 𝑥̅ = 72 and a variance of 𝑠 2 = 16 for scores on a college placement test
in mathematics. Assuming the scores to be normally distributed, construct a 98% confidence interval for 𝜎 2 .
Answer:
8.40 < 𝜎 2 < 39.83