Q 13RP.

Question

Western Pygmy-Possum. Refer to Problem 12

a. Find the percentage of all samples of four pygmy possums that have mean weights within 0.225 g the population mean weight of 8.5 g

b. Obtain the probability that the mean weight of four randomly selected pygmy possums will be within 0.225 g the population mean weight of 8.5 g

c. Interpret the probability you obtained in part (b) in terms of sampling error.

d. Repeat parts (a) -(c) for samples of size 9

Step-by-Step Solution

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Answer

Part (a) The mean weights of all four pygmy-possum samples are within 0.225 g the population mean weight of 8.5 g in 86.64% of the cases.

Part (b) The mean weight of four randomly selected pygmy-possums will be within 0.225 g of the population mean weight of 8.5 g is 0.8664

Part (c) The sampling error made in determining the mean weight by a sample of four possums is likely to be within 0.225 g

Part (d) (a) 97.56%

Part (d) (b)  the mean weight of nine randomly chosen pygmy-possums will be within 0.225 g of the population mean weight of 8.5 g is 0.9756, as shown in part (a).

Part (d) (c) The sampling error caused in predicting the mean weight from a sample of four possums is less than 0.225 g

1Part (a) Step 1: Given information

The weight of adult male pygmy-possums (x) is assumed to be regularly distributed, with a mean of (μ)8.5 g and a standard deviation of (σ)0.3 g

2Part (a) Step 2: Concept

The formula used: σx=σn

3Part (a) Step 3: Calculation

Here n=4, μn=8.5 and

σx=σn=0.34=0.32=0.15

That is, to find P(8.275x¯8.725)

The z-score  8.275 is,

z=8.275-8.50.15=-0.2250.15=-1.5

The z-score  8.725 is,

z=8.725-8.50.15=0.2250.15=1.5

To find the area between the z-scores, use Table II: Areas under the standard normal curve.

To the left of the entrance, z-score 1.5 is 0.0668

To the left of the entrance, z-score 1.5 is 0.9332

Thus, the area between the z-scores is,

The area between z-scores =( Area to the left of 1.5)-( Area to the left of-1.5)

=0.9332-0.0668=0.8664

Thus, the mean weights of all four pygmy-possum samples are within 0.225 g of the population mean weight of 8.5 g in 86.64% of the cases.

4Part (b) Step 1: Explanation

The probability that the mean weight of four randomly chosen pygmy-possums will be within 0.225 g of the population mean weight of 8.5 g is 0.8664 as shown in part (a).

5Part (c) Step 1: Explanation

The sampling error made in determining the mean weight by a sample of four possums is likely to be within 0.225 g

6Part (d) (a) Step 1: Explanation

Here n=4, μx=8.5 and

\beginalignedσx¯=σn=0.39=0.33=0.1

That is, to find P(8.275x¯8.725)

The z-score for 8.275 is,


z=8.275-8.50.1=-0.2250.1=-2.25

The z-score for 8.725 is,

z=8.725-8.50.1=0.2250.1=2.25

To find the area between the z-scores, use Table II: Areas under the standard normal curve.

To the left of the entrance, z-score 2.25 is 0.0122

To the left of the entrance, z-score 2.25 is 0.9878

Thus, the area between the z-scores is,

Area between z-scores =( Area to the left of 2.25)-(Area to the left of-2.25)

=0.9878-0.0122=0.9756

As a result, the mean weights of all nine pygmy-possum samples are within 0.225 g of the population mean weight of 8.5 g

7Part (d) (b) Step 1: Explanation

The probability that the mean weight of nine randomly chosen pygmy-possums will be within 0.225 g of the population mean weight of 8.5 g is 0.9756 as shown in part (a).

8Part (d) (c) Step 1: Explanation

There is a 97.56% chance that the sampling error caused in predicting the mean weight from a sample of four possums is less than 0.225 g