Question

Scores on a certain test are normally distributed with a variance of 14. A researcher wishes to estimate the mean score achieved by all adults on the test. Find the sample size needed to assure with 95% confidence that the sample mean will not differ from the population mean by more than 2 units

Answer 1

Formula:
n = [(z-value * sd)/E]^2
...where n = sample size, z-value will be 1.96 using a z-table to represent the 95% confidence interval, sd = square root of 14 (standard deviation is equal to the square root of the variance), E = 2, ^2 means squared, and * means to multiply.

Plug the values into the formula and finish the calculation. Round your answer to the next highest whole number.

Answer 2

So the answer would be 13.4459 ?

Answer 3

Looks OK! Round up to the next highest whole number, which would be 14.

Answer 4

Thanks MathGuru, the formula helped with a relevant math problem.