Out Of A Sample Of 760 People, 367 Own Their Homes. Construct A $95\%$ Confidence Interval For The Population Proportion Of People Who Own Their Homes.A. $CI = (43.62\%, 52.96\%)$B. $CI = (44.74\%, 51.84\%)$C. $CI
Introduction
In statistics, a confidence interval is a range of values within which a population parameter is likely to lie. When dealing with proportions, it's essential to construct a confidence interval to estimate the population proportion. In this article, we'll discuss how to construct a $95%$ confidence interval for the population proportion of people who own their homes, given a sample of 760 people.
Given Information
- Sample size ($n$): 760
- Number of people who own their homes ($x$): 367
- Confidence level: $95%$
Calculating the Sample Proportion
The sample proportion ($\hat{p}$) is calculated by dividing the number of people who own their homes by the sample size.
Calculating the Standard Error
The standard error ($SE$) is calculated using the formula:
Substituting the values, we get:
Calculating the Margin of Error
The margin of error ($ME$) is calculated using the formula:
where $z_{\alpha/2}$ is the critical value from the standard normal distribution for a $95%$ confidence level, which is approximately 1.96.
Constructing the Confidence Interval
The confidence interval ($CI$) is constructed by adding and subtracting the margin of error from the sample proportion.
Therefore, the $95%$ confidence interval for the population proportion of people who own their homes is:
Converting the Confidence Interval to a Percentage
To express the confidence interval as a percentage, we multiply the lower and upper bounds by 100.
Comparison with the Given Options
Comparing the calculated confidence interval with the given options, we can see that:
- Option A: $CI = (43.62%, 52.96%)$
- Option B: $CI = (44.74%, 51.84%)$
- Option C: Not provided
Our calculated confidence interval, $CI = (45.32%, 51.32%)$, is closest to Option A.
Conclusion
Q: What is a confidence interval?
A: A confidence interval is a range of values within which a population parameter is likely to lie. It's a way to estimate the population parameter based on a sample of data.
Q: Why is it important to construct a confidence interval?
A: Constructing a confidence interval is important because it allows us to make inferences about the population parameter based on a sample of data. It also helps us to understand the uncertainty associated with our estimates.
Q: What is the difference between a point estimate and a confidence interval?
A: A point estimate is a single value that represents the population parameter, while a confidence interval is a range of values within which the population parameter is likely to lie.
Q: How do I choose the confidence level?
A: The confidence level is typically chosen based on the desired level of precision and the amount of uncertainty associated with the estimate. Common confidence levels include 90%, 95%, and 99%.
Q: What is the critical value (z-score) used in constructing a confidence interval?
A: The critical value (z-score) is a value from the standard normal distribution that corresponds to the desired confidence level. For example, a 95% confidence level corresponds to a z-score of approximately 1.96.
Q: How do I calculate the margin of error?
A: The margin of error is calculated by multiplying the standard error by the critical value (z-score). The formula is:
Q: What is the standard error (SE)?
A: The standard error is a measure of the variability of the sample proportion. It's calculated using the formula:
Q: Can I use a confidence interval to make inferences about the population?
A: Yes, a confidence interval can be used to make inferences about the population. If the confidence interval includes a value of interest, it suggests that the value is plausible based on the sample data.
Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when constructing a confidence interval?
A: Some common mistakes to avoid include:
- Not checking the assumptions of the confidence interval (e.g., normality of the data)
- Not using the correct formula for the margin of error
- Not considering the effect of sample size on the confidence interval
- Not interpreting the confidence interval correctly
Q: Can I use a confidence interval to compare two or more groups?
A: Yes, a confidence interval can be used to compare two or more groups. This is known as a confidence interval for the difference between two proportions.
Q: What are some real-world applications of confidence intervals?
A: Confidence intervals have many real-world applications, including:
- Estimating the proportion of people who own a particular product
- Evaluating the effectiveness of a new treatment
- Comparing the performance of two or more groups
- Estimating the population mean or proportion based on a sample of data