Warm Up For each of the following please state the population, sample, parameter, and statistic. 1.The local school board posts average SAT Math scores for each high school in the district. For one particular high school, the average math score is given as 516. A statistics teacher at that high school thinks that this is too high. He takes a random sample of 100 students and finds that their average SAT Math score is Students in a statistics class weighed 30 bags of regular size M&M’s and found that the average weight of the 30 bags excluding the wrapper was 1.75 ounces. The Mars Company gives the net weight as 1.69 ounces.

Homework Check

Errors in Sampling The margin of error is a statement of how much confidence we can have in the results of a sample in representing the population. Also, We say we are 95% confident that the truth lies within the margin of error. This is called the confidence level.

Margin of Error

Example For example, you took a sample of Reese’s Pieces and found the proportion of orange was 52%. Let’s say the margin of error in this situation is 4%. Then the confidence interval is…

Margin of Error

4.So, we say 95% of all samples come this close to the truth. 5% miss by more than the margin of error. 5.We say we are 95% confident that the truth lies within the margin of error.

Back to the Reese’s Pieces Lets say we found that the average proportion of orange candies was 52% in 100 samples. We stated before that the margin of error was 4% and that the confidence interval would be a 48% to 56% proportion of orange candies. 95% confidence says that 95 of the 100 samples fell between 48% and 56% and 5 of the 100 samples fell outside the confidence interval.

Finding the margin or error

Examples When constructing a 95% confidence interval for proportions, what would be the approximate margin of error for a sample size of… people? people?

Example If we take a SRS of sample size of 1523 people. The margin of error for 95% confidence will be about what? If we take a SRS of sample size of 100 people from the same population, what will the margin of error for 95% confidence be?

Conclusion Because the formula uses the square root of the sample size, to cut the margin of error in half, we must use a sample four times as large. Test this hypothesis.

Margin of Error/Confidence Interval

Confidence Statement A confidence statement combines the sample example (i.e. lottery ticket sales), margin of error, and the level of confidence into one coherent statement.

Confidence Statement Details 1.Always includes the confidence level and the confidence interval. 2.The conclusion always applies to the populations, not the sample. 3.The conclusion is never completely certain (100%) 4.It is usual to report the margin of error for 95% confidence.

Confidence Statement A survey’s conclusion about buying lottery tickets found that 57% of adults in the sample bought a lottery ticket in the past 12 months with a margin of error of 3%. Confidence Statement “We are 95% confident that between 54% and 60% of all adults bought a lottery ticket in the last 12 months.”

Confidence Statement “We are 95% confident that between 54% and 60% of all adults bought a lottery ticket in the last 12 months.”

Examples Write a confidence statement. After taking a random sample of juniors and seniors the proportion of students who have completed Algebra 2 at GMC with a grade above mastery is 93% with a margin of error of 5%.

Examples Write a confidence statement. After taking a random sample of households in South Carolina the average number of households (with a margin of error of 4%) that were not originally from South Carolina is 66%.

Finding the Margin of Error Sometimes you will have to find the margin of error given a sample size in order to write a confidence statement. What was the equation to find the approximate margin or error?

Examples A statistics teacher at a local high school takes a random sample of 230 students throughout the district and finds that their average SAT Math score is What is the margin of error? 2.What is the confidence interval? 3.Write a confidence statement.

Examples A doctor notices that many patients that want to lose weight have a hormone imbalance. She chooses a random sample of 112 patients and finds that 79 have a hormone imbalance. 1.What is the margin of error? 2.What is the confidence interval? 3.Write a confidence statement.

Examples The doctor is not satisfied with the confidence level. It is too wide. 1.What could she do to find to narrow the confidence level? 2.How many patients does she need to sample to cut her original confidence interval in half? 3.If she increases her sample size to 600 patients, what is her margin of error?

Homework Margin of Error Worksheet Due Monday!