CONFIDENCE INTERVALS FOR THE

POPULATION MEAN WHEN  IS

UNKNOWN
Lesson Objectives

At the end of this lesson, 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 confifidence coeffifficients for
computing t from the t-Table.
Pre-Assessment
Lesson Introduction
Aldrei wants to know if cooperative grouping is an effective strategy in
improving the mathematics performance of Grade 7 students. Twenty
students were included in the experimental group while another 20
students were included in the control group. The mean achievement
score of the students in the experimental group was 82.5 with a
standard deviation of 3 while the mean of the students in the control
group was 80 with a standard deviation of 6. The two groups come from
normally distributed populations. The confidence level adopted was
95%.
• What is the estimate of the population mean where the
experimental group comes from?
___________________________
• What is the estimate of the population mean where the control
group comes from? ___________________________
• Express your confidence as percentage. ____________________
Discussion Points
Assumptions in Computing for the Population
Mean When σ is Unknown
When n ≥ 30, and σ is unknown, the sample
standard deviation scan be substituted for σ.
However, the following assumptions should be
met.
•The sample is a random sample.
•Either n ≥ 30 or the population is normally
distributed when n < 30.
Discussion Points
General expression for the confidence interval when σ is
unknown

 s 
X  t 
 n

The distribution of values is called t-distribution

Discussion Points

Degrees of Freedom

• The degrees of freedom, denoted by df, are

the number of values that are free to vary
after a sample statistic has been computed

• Indicate the specific curve to use when a

distribution consists of a family of curves.
Discussion Points

Formula for computing the confidence interval

using the t-distribution

 s   s 
X  t     X  t 
 n  n
Discussion Points
Example 1

An admission officer of an educational institution

wants to know the mean age of all entering
mathematics majors. 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 the point estimate and

the interval estimate of the population mean.
Solution
Point Estimate
Solution
99% Confidence Interval
Solution
99% Confidence Interval
Exercises

1. Using the t-table, give the confidence

coefficients for each of the following:
 n = 12, 95% confidence
 n = 15, 95% confidence
 n = 21, 99% confidence
 n = 23, 95% confidence
 n = 25, 99% confidence
Exercises

2. 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 the
point and the interval estimates of the population
mean adopting a confidence level of 95%.
3. The mean age of 20 youth volunteers in a
community project is 17.5 years with a standard
deviation of 2 years. If the sample comes from an
approximately normal distribution, what are the
point and the interval estimates of the population
mean? Use 99% confidence level.
Exercises

4. The average weight of 25 chocolate bars

selected from a normally distributed
population is 200 g with a standard
deviation of 10 g. Find the point and the
interval estimates using 95% confidence
level.
Summary
General expression for the confidence interval when σ is
unknown

 s 
X  t 
 n

The distribution of values is called t-distribution

Summary