To construct a 99% confidence interval for the population mean \( u \) based on the sample data provided, we can use the following formula for the confidence interval:
\[ \text{Confidence Interval} = \bar{x} \pm z^* \left( \frac{s}{\sqrt{n}} \right) \]
Where:
- \( \bar{x} \) = sample mean
- \( z^* \) = z-value corresponding to the desired confidence level
- \( s \) = sample standard deviation
- \( n \) = sample size
Step 1: Determine the z-value for a 99% confidence level
For a 99% confidence level, the z-value (critical value) can be found using z-tables or calculators. The z-value for a 99% confidence interval is approximately:
\[ z^* \approx 2.576 \]
Step 2: Calculate the margin of error
Now, plug in the values into the formula for the margin of error:
\[ \text{Margin of Error} = z^* \left( \frac{s}{\sqrt{n}} \right) \]
Substituting the known values:
\[ \text{Margin of Error} = 2.576 \left( \frac{7.6}{\sqrt{38}} \right) \]
Calculating \( \frac{s}{\sqrt{n}} \):
\[ \frac{7.6}{\sqrt{38}} \approx \frac{7.6}{6.1644} \approx 1.230 \]
Now calculate the Margin of Error:
\[ \text{Margin of Error} \approx 2.576 \times 1.230 \approx 3.17 \]
Step 3: Construct the confidence interval
The lower and upper limits of the confidence interval can be calculated as follows:
\[ \text{Lower limit} = \bar{x} - \text{Margin of Error} = 58 - 3.17 \approx 54.8 \] \[ \text{Upper limit} = \bar{x} + \text{Margin of Error} = 58 + 3.17 \approx 61.2 \]
Final Results
The 99% confidence interval for the population mean \( u \) is:
\[ (54.8, 61.2) \]
Thus, the values you should enter for the lower limit, upper limit, and mean are:
- Lower limit: 54.8
- Upper limit: 61.2
- Mean: 58
All values rounded to one decimal place.