SANTA FILOMENA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Sta. Filomena, Alegria, Cebu

Subject: Statistics and Probability ______Quarter : 3 Week : 8

I. MELC:
identifies the length of a confidence interval. M11/12SP-IIIj-1
computes for the length of the confidence interval. M11/12SP-IIIj-2
computes for an appropriate sample size using the length of the interval. M11/12SP-IIIj-3
solves problems involving sample size determination. M11/12SP-IIIj-4
II. Objective/s:
❖ identifies the length of a confidence interval.
❖ computes for the length of the confidence interval.
❖ computes for an appropriate sample size using the length of the interval.
❖ solves problems involving sample size determination.

III. Subject Matter: Length of Confidence Interval and Appropriate Sample Size
IV. References: Module 8 @ DepED Bataan
V. Procedure:

Reading:

Lesson 1: Length of Confidence and

Appropriate Sample Size
How large should be the sample? Many researchers find this a problem. In fact, many rely on old
methods to determine the sample size they need in their investigations. This problem must be
addressed carefully because needlessly large samples are a waste of important resources. On the other
hand, insufficient sample size may lead to poor results.
Definition of Terms
1. Confidence interval - In statistics, this refers to the probability that a Population parameter will
fall between a set of values for a certain proportion of times. Confidence intervals measure the degree of
uncertainty or certainty in a sampling method. They can take any number of probability limits, with the
most common being a 95% or 99% confidence level.
2. Narrowness of the interval – This pertains to a small width in relation to the length of the
confidence interval.

Length of Confidence Interval

This refers to the absolute difference between the upper confidence limit and the lower
confidence limit.

Formula:
LCI = |UCL – LCL| = |LCL – UCL|
Or
LCI = UCL – LCL
Where:
LCI – length of confidence interval
UCL – upper confidence limit
LCL – lower confidence limit
Example 1. Find the length of the confidence interval 0. 275<p 0.360
Solution:

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 Steps Solutions
1. Determine the given. UCL = 0.360
LCL = 0.275
2. Use the formula for Length of LCl = UCL – LCL
Confidence Interval.
3. Substitute the given value, then LCI = 0.360 - 0.275
perform the indicated operation. LCI = 0.085
Thus, the length of confidence is 0.085.
Example 2. Find the length of the confidence interval
upper confidence limit = 0.805
lower confidence limit = 0.526
Solution:
Steps Solutions
1. Determine the given. UCL = 0.805
LCL = 0.526
2. Use the formula for Length of LCl = UCL – LCL
Confidence Interval.
3. Substitute the given value, then LCI = 0.805-0.526
perform the indicated operation. LCI = 0.279
Thus, the length of confidence is 0.279.
Activity 1:
A. Find the length of the confidence interval.
1. 0.355 < p < 0.470
2. 0.475 < p < 0.835
3. Upper confidence limit = 0.796
Lower confidence limit = 0.536
4. Upper confidence limit = 0.896
Lower confidence limit = 0.526
5. Upper confidence limit = 0.966
Lower confidence limit = 0.635

The formula for interval estimate of population mean (µ) When population variance is
known and 𝒏 ≥ 𝟑𝟎.
𝜎 𝜎
(𝑥̅ − 𝑧𝛼 , 𝑥̅ + 𝑧𝛼 )
2 √𝑛 2 √𝑛
or
𝜎 𝜎
𝑥̅ − 𝑧𝛼 < 𝜇 < 𝑥̅ + 𝑧𝛼
2 √𝑛 2 √𝑛
where:
𝑥̅ = mean of a random sample size 𝑛.
𝑛 = sample size
𝜎 = 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = √𝜎 2
𝛼
𝑧𝛼 = 𝑧 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑎𝑡 (1 − ) 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙
2 2

The Formula to find the length of the confidence interval

𝜎
𝐿𝐶𝐼 = 2𝑧𝛼
2 √𝑛

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Example 3:
Find the length of the confidence interval given the following data: 𝜎 = 0.3, 𝑛 = 70, confidence
𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 = 95%
Solution:
Steps Solution
1. Determine the
𝜎 = 0.3, 𝑛 = 70, 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 = 95%
given.
Find 𝑎 in equation (1 − 𝛼)100% =
(1 − 𝛼)100% = 95% 95% 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 95% is the given confidence
level.
(1 − 𝛼 ) = 95% 100% of (1 − 𝛼) = (1 − 𝛼 )
(1 − 𝛼) = 0.95 Change 95% to decimal number.
(1 − 𝛼) − 1 = 0.95 − 1 Subtraction property of equality.
2. Determine the
(−1)(−𝛼) = (−0.05)(−1)
confidence Multiplication property of equality.
𝜶 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓
coefficient.
𝛼 0.05
= = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟓 Division property of equality.
2 2
Subtract 0.025 from 0.500 (which is half the
0.500 - 0.025 = 0.475
area of the Standard Normal Curve).
𝑧𝛼 = 1.96 Hence, Using the Area under the Standard
2 Normal Curve Table, as 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤.

𝜎 Use this formula to solve for the length

𝐿𝐶𝐼 = 2𝑧𝛼
3. Substitute the 2 √𝑛 of confidence interval.
values in the (0.3) Supplies the values, then multiply
formula and 𝐿𝐶𝐼 = 2(1.96)
√70 2(1.96)(0.3).
compute.
𝜎 1.176
𝐿𝐶𝐼 = 2𝑧𝛼 𝐿𝐶𝐼 = Divide 1.176 by √70.
2 √𝑛 √70
𝐿𝐶𝐼 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒𝟎𝟔 Answer
Thus, the length of confidence interval is equal to 0.1406

The formula for confidence interval of population mean, if n<30

𝜎 𝜎
𝑥̅ − 𝑡𝛼 < 𝜇 < 𝑥̅ + 𝑡𝛼
2 √𝑛 2 √𝑛
The formula to find the length of the confidence interval.
𝜎
𝐿𝐶𝐼 = 2𝑡𝛼
2 √𝑛
Where:
𝑡𝛼⁄ – is the t value
2
𝝈– standard deviation
𝒏 – sample size

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Example 4:
Find the length of the confidence interval, given the following data: 𝜎 = 6.5, 𝑛 = 15, confidence
level = 99%

Solution:
Steps Solution
1. Determine the
𝜎 = = 6.5, n = 15, confidence level = 99%
given.
𝑑𝑓 = 𝑛 − 1
2. Find the degree 𝑑𝑓 = 15 − 1
of freedom df. 𝑑𝑓 = 14
Thus, the degree of freedom is 14.
3. 3. Find the 𝒂 in
(1- 𝑎)100% Find 𝛼 in equation (1 − 𝛼)100% =
(1 − 𝛼)100% = 99% 99% 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 99% is the given confidence
confidence level,
then find 𝑡𝛼⁄ level.
2
(1 − 𝛼 ) = 99% Since, 100% of (1 − 𝛼) = (1 − 𝛼 )
(1 − 𝛼) = 0.99 Change 99% to decimal number.
(1 − 𝛼) − 1 = 0.99 − 1 Subtraction property of equality.
(−1)(−𝛼) = (−0.01)(−1)
Multiplication property of equality.
𝜶 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏
𝛼 0.01
= = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓 Division property of equality.
2 2
Hence, Using the t distribution critical values
𝛼
𝑡𝛼 = 2.977 (t Table) at df = 14 and = 0.005 , as 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑤𝑛
2 2
𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤.

𝜎 Use this formula to solve for the length

𝐿𝐶𝐼 = 2𝑡𝛼
4. Substitute the √𝑛
2 of confidence interval.
values in the (6.5) Supplies the values, then multiply
formula and 𝐿𝐶𝐼 = 2(2.977)
√15 2(2.977)(6.5).
compute.
𝜎 38.701
𝐿𝐶𝐼 = 2𝑡𝛼 𝐿𝐶𝐼 = Divide 38.701 by √15.
2 √𝑛 √15
𝐿𝐶𝐼 = 𝟗. 𝟗𝟗 Answer
Thus, the length of confidence interval is equal to 9.99

Deriving the Formula for a Sample Size

In deriving the formula for the sample size, there are two things to remember when we decided
on the quality of the sample size that we need: confidence and the narrowness of the interval.
➢ Confidence interval describes the uncertainty inherent in this estimate and describes a range
of values within which we can be reasonably sure that the true effect actually lies.

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 ➢ Narrowness of the interval pertains to a small width in relation to the length of the
confidence interval.
If the confidence interval is relatively narrow (e.g., 0.70 to 0.80), the effect size is known
precisely. If the interval is wider (e.g., 0.60 to 0.93) the uncertainty is greater, although there may still be
enough precision to make decisions about the utility of the intervention. Intervals that are very wide (e.g.,
0.50 to 1.10) indicate that we have little knowledge about the effect, and that further information is
needed. The computing formula in determining sample size is derived from the formula of the margin of
error E where:
𝜎
𝐸 = 𝑧𝛼⁄2 ( )
√𝑛
❖ Study the derivation of the computing formula for determining minimum sample size when
estimating a population mean.
❖ Discuss the elements of the formula.

Formula in Determining the Minimum Sample Size Needed when Estimating the
Population Mean
𝑧𝛼 ∙ 𝜎 2
𝑛=( 2 )
𝐸
Where:
𝒛𝒂⁄𝟐 – is the z value
𝝈 – standard deviation
𝒏 – number of sample
E – margin of error

Since the value of is usually unknown, it can be estimated by the standard deviation (𝜎 ) from a
prior sample. Alternatively, we may approximate the range R of observations in the population and make
𝑅
a conservative estimate of ≈ . In any case, round up the value of obtained to ensure the sample size
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will be sufficient to achieve the specified reliability.
Example 1:
Feeding Program In a certain barangay, Mario wants to estimate the mean weight µ, in
kilograms, of all seven-year-old children to be included in a feeding program. He wants to be 99%
confident that the estimate of µ is accurate 0.06 kg. Suppose from a previous study, the standard
deviation of the weights of the target population was 0.5kg, what should the sample size be?

Note: The phrase “accurate to within 0.06 kg” indicates a narrowed width of the confidence interval.
Thus, the decide error E= 0.06 kg.

Population standard deviation = 0.5 kg

Solution:
1. Determine the given.
99% confidence, E = 0.06 kg, 𝜎= 0.5 kg
2. Determine the confidence coefficient
𝜶 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 − 𝟗𝟗
𝜶 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏
𝜶
= 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓
𝟐
𝟎. 𝟓𝟎𝟎 − 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟗𝟓
Trace/locate on the Z-table area of 0.495 equivalent to 2.58
𝑧𝛼 = 𝟐. 𝟓𝟖
2
3. Substitute the values in the formula and compute.

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 𝑧𝛼 ∙ 𝜎 2
2
𝑛=( )
𝐸
(2.58)(0.5) 2
𝑛=( )
0.06
2
1.29
𝑛=( )
0.06

𝑛 = (21.5)2
𝑛 = 462.25
4. Round up the resulting value to the nearest whole number 𝑛 = 462.25 𝑜𝑟 𝟒𝟔𝟑.
Thus, Mario needs a sample size of 463 .

Note: When Determining sample size, we always round up the resulting value to the next whole
number.
Rule: When the calculated sample size is not a whole number, it should be rounded up to the next
higher whole number.
Rule: Rounding up a sample size calculation for conservativeness ensures that your sample size will
always be the representative of the population.

Example
1. A sample size calculation determined that 2006.083 data points were necessary to represent the
population. In this case, 2007 data points samples should be taken.
2. Suppose the calculated sample size is 409.14. What would be the sample size?
409.14? ____________ Answer: 410

Activity:
Round up the following calculated sample size.
1. n = 207.39
2. n = 347.56
3. n = 976.09

ASSESSMENT:
A. Find the length of the confidence interval given the following data:
1. 𝜎 = 5.36, n = 350, confidence level: 99%
2. 𝜎 = 2.35, n = 250, confidence level: 99%
3. 𝜎 = 1.20, n = 200, confidence level: 95%
4. 𝜎 = 8.15, n = 29, confidence interval: 99%
5. 𝜎 = 3.25, n = 17, confidence interval: 95%
B. Solve the following problems.
1. In a group presentation, the average geometric reasoning of Grade 10 students in a
Mathematics camp was observed to be 80 with s standard deviation of 4. A researcher wants to
replicate the study to estimate the true population mean µ to within 0.5 maximum error. If the 98% level
of confidence is adopted, how many respondents are needed?

2. Teacher Carol, wants to conduct a survey about the average number of students in a certain
school who wants online class instead of distance modular learning. If she plans to use 99% confidence
level, 0.5 as the margin of error, and a standard deviation of 5. How many sample sizes does she need
for the survey?

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