Statistics: Confidence Intervals

[Phrynichos]

The problem in question is as follows:

Find themargin of error for the given values of c, s, and n. where c is the confidence interval, s is the sample standard deviation and n is the number of objects.

c=0.65 s= 1.5 n=50

the formula: E= (z_c s) / n^.5

Level of Confidence Chart

c ......z_c
.80......1.28
.90......1.645
.95......1.96
.99.....2.575


As you can see, the z_c value for c=.65 is not present on the chart. I don't know how to proceed to solve the problem by finding the corresponding z_c for when c=.65. if anyone could show me, that would be appreciated.
thankx

 

[learnfrench]

z_{c}=0.93 for c=0.65. Easy to find on your table for the Standard Normal Distribution.

 

[HF08]

Hey LearnFrench,

How do they determine the 0.93 statistic in the first place? Assuming I have no life, how could I derive a table on my own?

Thanks,
HF08

 

[CRGreathouse]

Numerical integration of the normal distribution's pdf would probably be the easiest way. The more traditional but also more complex way would start with the error function.