Q17 · 2022 · Technology-activeComplex familiar6 marks
QUESTION 17 (6 marks)
The mass of a population of elephants is known to be normally distributed.
A biologist randomly selects a number of elephants from this population and measures their masses.
The mean mass of the sample is 5206 kg with a standard deviation of 356 kg.
The biologist uses the data to calculate a 90% confidence interval for the population mean mass of kg.
Determine a 99% confidence interval for the population mean mass based on the same data.
WORKED SOLUTION
6 marksQCAA guide · typeset solution
ANSWER
kg.
Worked solution
For a 90% confidence interval, . Using the lower endpoint,
which gives , so the sample size is 156. Using the same data and a 99% confidence level gives
correctly determines the required value of for a 90% confidence interval
establishes an equation in terms of
solves the equation to determine
rounds to an integer value
determines a 99% confidence interval
shows logical organisation communicating key steps
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