IDENTIFYING THE

APPROPRIATE
FORM OF THE
CONFIDENCE
INTERVAL
ESTIMATOR FOR
THE POPULATION
MEAN
 Confidence interval estimators, like point estimators,
are used to estimate the parameters like the population
mean. It is a range of values that can contain the
population mean with a certain confidence level
percentage. The confidence level is a value set by the
researcher that tells the probability of the confidence
interval estimator to contain the true population mean
across different samples.
Which form of confidence interval estimator for the population mean is the
most appropriate to use?

The confidence interval estimator is made by subtracting and adding a margin of error to
the sample mean to get the lower and upper limits, respectively.
Population Variance is Known
If the population standard deviation is known and the 
sample size is large enough, the z-critical value is used xz 
to compute for the confidence interval estimator of the
population mean.
1
2 n critical value- the # of
errors to be added to and
subtracted from the
Population Variance is Unknown sample mean based on the
standard normal
If the population standard deviation is unknown,
distribution
regardless of whether the sample size is large enough
or not, the t-critical value can be used to compute for  
𝛿
the confidence interval estimator of the population
mean. The t-critical value can also be used to
compute for the confidence interval estimator of the
population mean if the population standard deviation
( ´𝑥 ± 𝑡 𝛼
2 √𝑛
)
is known but the sample size is not large enough.
Which form of confidence interval estimator for the population mean is the
most appropriate to use?

Central Limit Theorem

s
If the sample size is large enough, regardless of the
population distribution, the Central Limit Theorem can
xz 
be considered to compute for the confidence interval
1
2 n
estimator of the population mean using the z-critical
value.
EXAMPLES

The average height of women in a city is known to be normally distributed with a standard
deviation of 49 cm. A sample of 50 women had an average height of 165.2 cm. What is the
appropriate form to use in constructing the confidence interval estimator of the population
mean with confidence level of 95%?


xz 
1
2 n
EXAMPLES

The average lifetime of a candle brand was determined by testing 20 samples. The sample
candles lasted for an average of 112 minutes with a variance of 4 minutes. Which form is
appropriate in constructing a confidence interval with 99% confidence level?

  𝛿
´𝑥 ± 𝑡 𝛼
2 √𝑛
EXAMPLES

A school wants to know if the students are aware of the national issues happening in the country. A
standardized test about national current events was conducted to the students. A sample of the
scores of 30 students was tested. The sample mean was found to be 49.2% with a variance of 22%.
What is the appropriate form of the confidence interval for the population mean?

s
xz 
1
2 n
 •Compute for the confidence interval estimate
based on the appropriate form of the estimator for
the population mean,
•Solve problems involving confidence interval
estimation of the population mean, and
•Draw conclusion about the population mean
based on its confidence interval estimate.

Confidence Interval Estimate for the

Population Mean When the Population
Variance Is Known
HOW TO COMPUTE FOR THE CONFIDENCE
INTERVAL ESTIMATE:

Step 5: Solve what is asked.

Step 4: Substitute the given values to the formula.

Step 3: Identify which formula is to be used.

Step 2: Identify what are given.

Step 1: Identify what is asked.

 EXAMPLE
In a sample size of 30 households, the average internet
speed of internet connections in a highly urbanized city is
3.4 Mbps. The standard deviation of the population is 0.9
Mbps. Find a 95% confidence interval for the mean internet
speed of the households.
Asked: 95% confidence interval for the mean internet  Formula to use:
speed of the households sample mean
population standard deviation = 0.9 Mbps
sample size n = 30
 Given:
sample mean    
CI:  x  z  , x  z 
population standard deviation = 0.9 Mbps  1 n 1

n 
sample size n = 30  2 2 
 EXAMPLE
In a sample size of 30 households, the average internet
speed of internet connections in a highly urbanized city is
3.4 Mbps. The standard deviation of the population is 0.9
Mbps. Find a 95% confidence interval for the mean internet
speed of the households.  (1   )100%  95%
Substitute the given values: To solve for :
2 95
 0 .9 0.9  1 
 3.4  z  ,3. 4  z  100
 1 30 1

30  1    0.95
 2 2 
  1  0.95
  0.05

 0.025
2
 EXAMPLE
In a sample size of 30 households, the average internet
speed of internet connections in a highly urbanized city is
3.4 Mbps. The standard deviation of the population is 0.9
Mbps. Find a 95% confidence interval for the mean internet
speed of the households. z  :
 0 .9
To find
0.9  1 z   z10.025
 3.4  z  ,3.4  z   2
1
 1 30 1 30  2
 
2 2
 z0.975
 EXAMPLE
In a sample size of 30 households, the average internet
speed of internet connections in a highly urbanized city is
3.4 Mbps. The standard deviation of the population is 0.9
Mbps. Find a 95% confidence interval for the mean internet
speed of the households. z  :
 0 .9
To find
0.9  1 z   z10.025
 3.4  z  ,3.4  z   2
1
 1 30 1 30  2
 
2 2
 z0.975
 EXAMPLE
In a sample size of 30 households, the average internet
speed of internet connections in a highly urbanized city is
3.4 Mbps. The standard deviation of the population is 0.9
Mbps. Find a 95% confidence interval for the mean internet
speed of the households. z  :
 0 .9
To find
0.9  1 z   z10.025
 3.4  z  ,3.4  z   2
1
 1 30 1 30  2
 
2 2
 z0.975

 1.96
 EXAMPLE
In a sample size of 30 households, the average internet
speed of internet connections in a highly urbanized city is
3.4 Mbps. The standard deviation of the population is 0.9
Mbps. Find a 95% confidence interval for the mean internet
speed of the households.
 0.9 0 .9 
 3.4  (1.96) ,3.4  (1.96) 
 30 30 

 3.08,3.72 Interpretation: Based on this sample of size n=30, the best

estimate of the mean internet speed of household in a
highly urbanized city is 3.4 Mbps. Based on this sample,
one can be 95% confident that the mean internet speed in
the population is between 3.08 Mbps and 3.72 Mbps.
TRY THIS!

A study on the average weight of female student athletes was conducted.

From a sample of 36 female student athletes, the average weight was
found to be 65.3 kg. The population standard deviation was computed to
be 5.4 kg. Find a 90% confidence interval for the mean weight of female
student athletes.
TRY THIS!

A study on the average weight of female student athletes was conducted.

From a sample of 36 female student athletes, the average weight was
found to be 65.3 kg. The population standard deviation was computed to
be 5.4 kg. Find a 90% confidence interval for the mean weight of female
student athletes.
Step 3: Identify which formula to use.
   
x z  , x  z 
 1 n 1

n 
 2 2 
Step 4: Substitute the given values to the

To find :
formula.

2
5.4 5.4 
 65.3  z  , 65.3  z 
 1 36 

36 
 2
1
2
TRY THIS!

A study on the average weight of female student athletes was conducted.

From a sample of 36 female student athletes, the average weight was
found to be 65.3 kg. The population standard deviation was computed to
be 5.4 kg. Find a 90% confidence interval for the mean weight of female
student athletes.


 65.3  z
5.4
,65.3  z
5. 4 
 To find
z  : z z 1 0.05
36 
  1
 1
2 36 1
2 2 1
2
 z0.95
TRY THIS!

A study on the average weight of female student athletes was conducted.

From a sample of 36 female student athletes, the average weight was
found to be 65.3 kg. The sample standard deviation was computed to be
5.4 kg. Find a 90% confidence interval for the mean weight of female
student athletes.


 65.3  z
5.4
,65.3  z
5. 4 
 To find
z  : z z  1 0.05
36 
  1
 1
2 36 1
2 2 1
2
 z0.95

 𝑧 0.95= 1.64 +1.65 = 1.645

2
TRY THIS!

A study on the average weight of female student athletes was conducted.

From a sample of 36 female student athletes, the average weight was
found to be 65.3 kg. The population standard deviation was computed to
be 5.4 kg. Find a 90% confidence interval for the mean weight of female
student athletes.
 5.4 5.4 
 65.3  (1.645) ,65.3  (1.645) 
 36 36 

Step 5: Solve what is asked. Interpretation: Based on this sample of

size n=36, the best estimate of the mean weight of
(  63.82 , 66.78 ) female student athletes is 65.3 kg. Based on this
sample, one can be 90% confident that the mean
weight of female student athletes in the population
is between 63.82 kg and 66.78 kg.
ASSIGNMENT

Compute for the 99% confidence interval when a

sample of 42 mobile phones has an average battery
life of 8.33 hours and a population standard
deviation of 1.2 hours. Interpret.