Confidence Intervals

for Population Mean

(Unknown 𝜎)
FEBRUARY 4, 2020
 Objectives
❑ Identify the appropriate distribution
when 𝜎 is unknown;
❑ Understand the t-distribution; and,
❑ State the difference between a z-
distribution and a t-distribution.
Assumptions:
When 𝑛 ≥ 30, and 𝜎 is unknown, the sample
standard deviation (𝑠) can be substituted for 𝜎.
However, the following assumptions should be
met.
1. The sample is random sample.
2. Either 𝑛 ≥ 30 or the population is normally
distributed when 𝑛 < 30.
Confidence Interval Expression

𝑠
ത
𝑋 ± 𝒕( )
𝑛
Finding the confidence coefficient (t value)

Determine the sample size (n)

Determine the degrees of freedom (f)
Determine the confidence level
Look for the value on the t-table
Give the confidence coefficients for each
of the following:
1. 𝑛 = 12, 95% confidence
2. 𝑛 = 15, 95% confidence
3. 𝑛 = 21, 99% confidence
4. 𝑛 = 23, 95% confidence
5. 𝑛 = 25, 99% confidence
Sample Problem 1
An admission officer of a school wants to know
the mean age of entering students. He
computed the mean age of 18 years and a
standard deviation of 1.2 years on a random
sample of 25 students coming from a normally
distributed population. With 99% confidence,
find the point estimate and the interval
estimate of the population mean.