Q286 · Practice questionTechnology-activeComplex unfamiliar6 marks
QUESTION 286 (6 marks)
Two independent studies each use n=100. Their observed 95% confidence intervals are and . Both use . The confidence level is changed using the same two datasets.
a)[2 marks]
Determine the two observed means and standard deviations.
b)[3 marks]
Determine the common confidence level at which the upper endpoint of the first interval first equals the lower endpoint of the second. Give one decimal place.
c)[1 mark]
Explain why the touching point is not, by itself, an estimate based on a pooled dataset.
WORKED SOLUTION
6 marksPractice marking scheme
ANSWER
(a) Means 20 and 26; standard deviations and . (b) , with z=2.352. (c) It is only a common endpoint; pooled inference needs a combined-data calculation.
Worked solution
(a) The centres are 20 and 26, and half-widths are 2 and 3. Since is each half-width, and .
(b) At quantile z the half-widths are and . Endpoint contact requires , so . The confidence level is .
(c) The equality is constructed by changing the confidence level. It does not combine the observations or their variances into a new estimator.
Equivalent justified methods accepted; respect any requested proof method.
Exact values unless specified. Sketches assessed by mathematical features, not artistic quality.
Part a: Find both interval centres.
Part a: Recover both standard deviations from the half-widths.
Part b: Express both new half-widths in terms of z.
Part b: Solve the endpoint-contact equation.
Part b: Convert z to the central confidence level.
Part c: Distinguish an endpoint condition from a pooled estimate.
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