WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

Statistics and Probability Quarter 2 Week 2

Confidence Intervals for the Population Mean When σ is Unknown

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this activity, you are expected to:
• identify the appropriate distribution when the population σ is
unknown;
• understand the t-distribution;
• state the difference between a z-distribution and a t-distribution;
and
• identify the confidence coefficients for computing t from the t-
Table.

Key Concepts:
• t-distribution
• z-distribution

Discussion:
Other than the sample size, it is likewise important to consider the population
standard deviation when estimating confidence intervals for the population mean. There is
an appropriate distribution when the sample size is small such that the Central Limit
Theorem cannot be applied and the population standard deviation is unknown. In statistics,
there is a method that we can use to compute confidence intervals for a population mean
when σ is unknown. However, there are assumptions to bear in mind:
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 a random sample.
2. Either n≥30 or the population is normally distributed when n<30. The general
expression for the confidence interval when σ is unknown is given by:
𝑠

X ) and the distribution of values is called t-distribution. The

formula for computing the confidence interval using the t-distribution is:
𝑠 𝑠

X–t )<μ<X )
The t – table:

T-score vs. z-score: When to use a t score

The general rule of thumb for when to use a t score is when your sample:
• Has a sample size below 30,
• Has an unknown population standard deviation.
You must know the standard deviation of the population and your sample size should be
above 30 in order for you to be able to use the z-score. Otherwise, use the t-score.
When to use a t-score vs. z-score.
The above chart is based on (from my experience), the “rule” you’re most likely to find in an
elementary statistics class. That said, this is one of those rules that isn’t set in stone, so you
should always check with your textbook/teacher to make sure they aren’t suggesting
something different.
In real life though, it’s more common just to use the t-distribution as we usually don’t know
sigma (SoSci, 1999).

Example 1: Finding the Confidence Coefficients

A. Find the confidence coefficients for each of the following:
1. n = 6, 90%
confidence
2. n = 12,
95% confidence 3. n = 24,
99% confidence Solution:
To find the confidence coefficients, we have to find the degrees of freedom first by
applying this formula: n – 1, afterwards, we will look at the given confidence level and
match it to the t-table with the computed degrees of freedom.
1. n = 6, 90% confidence, since n = 6, our degrees of freedom is n – 1 = 6 – 1 = 5 with
90% confidence, the equivalent t-distribution value from the t-table is 2.015 which is
our confidence coefficient.
2. n = 12, 95% confidence, since n = 12, our d.f. is 11 with 95% confidence which is
equivalent to 2.201 from the t-table.
3. n = 24, 99% confidence, since n = 24, our d.f. is 23 with 99% confidence which is
equivalent to 2.807 from the t-table.
Example 2: Find the E (margin of error) given the following:
1. n = 6, s = 2, 90% confidence
2. n = 13, s = 4.5, 95% confidence
 3. n = 21, s = 5, 99% confidence Solution:
𝑠
To find the E we just have to substitute the given data to the formula E = t( )
where t is the confidence coefficient. 1. Given n = 6, our d.f. = 5 with 90% confidence
which is equivalent to 2.015. Thus, our t
𝑠
= 2.015, we are now ready to substitute the given data to the formula E = t( )=
(round off to two decimal places).

2. d.f. = 12 with 95% confidence is 2.179. Thus, E = t( 𝑠

) )=
(2. 179)(1.24807544151) ≈ 2.72

3. d.f. = 20 with 99% confidence is 2.845. Thus, E = (2.845)( )=

(2. 845)(1.09108945118) ≈ 3.1
Steps in Computing the Interval Estimate of the Population Mean When σ is Unknown:
Step 1: Describe the population parameter of interest.
Step 2: Specify the confidence interval criteria.
a. Check the assumptions.
b. Determine the test statistic to be used. In this case, it is the t statistic.
c. State the level of confidence.
Step 3: Collect and present sample evidence.
a. Collect the sample information.
b. Find the point estimate.
Step 4: Determine the Confidence Interval.
a. Determine the confidence coefficients (t) from the t-table.
b. Find .
c. Find the lower and the upper confidence limits.
d. Describe the results.

Example 3: Mean Age of Entering Math Majors

An admission officer of an educational institution wants to know the mean age of all
entering mathematics major. He computed a mean age of 18 years and a standard deviation
of 1.2 years on a random sample of 25 entering mathematics majors purportedly coming
from a normally distributed population. With 99% confidence, find (a) the point estimate
and (b) the interval estimate of the population mean.

Solution:
a. Point Estimate
Steps Solution
1. Describe the population The parameter of interest is the mean
parameter of interest. age of entering mathematics majors.
 2. Specify the confidence interval
criteria.
a. Check the assumptions
b. Determine the test statistic to be
used to calculate the interval.
c. State the level of confidence.
3. Collect and present sample
evidence.
a. Collect the sample information.
b. Find the point estimate.
The sample size of 25 mathematics
majors comes from a normally
distributed parent population.
The test statistic is the t, and s = 1.2
For a 99% confidence, a = 1.00 – 0.99 =
0.01
The sample information consists of 25
observations with sample mean of 18
and sample standard deviation of 1.2
Since the point estimate is just the
sample mean, we have 18 years as the
point estimate.

b. 99% Confidence Interval

4. Determine the Confidence Interval
a. Determine the confidence coefficient.
b. Find the maximum error E.
c. Find the lower and the upper confidence X ± E = 18 ± 0.67 = 17.33 and 18.67
limits.
d. Describe the results.
From the t-table, for n = 25, d.f. = 24. The 99%
confidence coefficient for this value from the
table is t = 2.797
E = t(
0.67
So, the lower and the upper confidence limits
range from 17.33 to 18.67.
Thus, we can say with 99% confidence level
that the interval between 17.33 and 18.67
contains the true mean age of the population of
entering mathematics majors based on the
sample of 25 entering mathematics majors.

Exercises:

1. Using the t-table, give the confidence coefficients for each of the
following:
a. n = 12, 95% confidence.
b. n = 21, 99% confidence.
c. n = 25, 90% confidence.
 2. Assuming that the samples come from normal distributions, find the
margin of error E given the following: a. n = 10, s = 4.0, 90% confidence.
b. n = 20, s = 2.5, 95% confidence.
c. n = 25, s = 3.7, 99% confidence.

3. The mean scores of a random sample of 17 students who took a special

test is 83.5. If the standard deviation of the scores is 4.1, and the
sample comes from an approximately normal population, find (a) the
point and (b) the interval estimates of the population mean adopting a
confidence level of 95%.

Reflection:

Do you think that the t-test is a versatile test in the sense that it may be
used for both small and large samples? Explain your answer.

References for learners:

Bataller, Ramil T., Statistics and Probability. Salesiana Books by Don Bosco Press,
Inc., 2016.

Answer Key:

1. a. 2.201
b. 2.845
c. 1.711
2. a. 2.32
b. 1.17
c. 2.07
3. a. 83.5
b. 83.5 ± 2.11 = 81.39 to 85.61

Alberto M. Aquino Jr.

San Vicente National High School
Butuan City Division albertusmagnus1993@gmail.com