Use the standard normal distribution or the t-distribution to construct a 95% confidence interval for the population mean. Justify your decision. If neither distribution can be used, explain why. Interpret the results. In a random sample of 50 people, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.7 and the standard deviation was 6.06.

MATLAB: An Introduction with Applications
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Chapter1: Starting With Matlab
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**Title: Constructing a Confidence Interval for the Population Mean**

**Objective:**
Learn how to use either the standard normal distribution or the t-distribution to construct a 95% confidence interval for the population mean. Determine which distribution to use based on the given data, and justify your choice.

**Context:**
A random sample of 50 people was taken, revealing a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.7 and a standard deviation of 6.06.

**Question:**
Which distribution should be used to construct the confidence interval?

**Options:**
- **A.** Use a normal distribution because the sample is random, the population is normal, and the population standard deviation (σ) is known.
- **B.** Use a t-distribution because the sample is random, the sample size (n) is greater than or equal to 30, and σ is unknown. *(Correct Answer)*
- **C.** Use a normal distribution because the sample is random, n ≥ 30, and σ is known.
- **D.** Use a t-distribution because the sample is random, the population is normal, and σ is unknown.
- **E.** Neither a normal distribution nor a t-distribution can be used because either the sample is not random, or n < 30, and the population is not known to be normal.

**Result:**
Select option **B** because the population standard deviation (σ) is unknown, and the sample size (n) is 50, which is greater than 30. This justifies the use of the t-distribution.

**Next Step:**
Choose the appropriate choice for computing the confidence interval:
- **A.** The 95% confidence interval is [ , ]. (Round to two decimal places as needed.)
- **B.** Neither distribution can be used to construct the confidence interval. 

For this scenario, proceed with option **A** to calculate the 95% confidence interval using the t-distribution.
Transcribed Image Text:**Title: Constructing a Confidence Interval for the Population Mean** **Objective:** Learn how to use either the standard normal distribution or the t-distribution to construct a 95% confidence interval for the population mean. Determine which distribution to use based on the given data, and justify your choice. **Context:** A random sample of 50 people was taken, revealing a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.7 and a standard deviation of 6.06. **Question:** Which distribution should be used to construct the confidence interval? **Options:** - **A.** Use a normal distribution because the sample is random, the population is normal, and the population standard deviation (σ) is known. - **B.** Use a t-distribution because the sample is random, the sample size (n) is greater than or equal to 30, and σ is unknown. *(Correct Answer)* - **C.** Use a normal distribution because the sample is random, n ≥ 30, and σ is known. - **D.** Use a t-distribution because the sample is random, the population is normal, and σ is unknown. - **E.** Neither a normal distribution nor a t-distribution can be used because either the sample is not random, or n < 30, and the population is not known to be normal. **Result:** Select option **B** because the population standard deviation (σ) is unknown, and the sample size (n) is 50, which is greater than 30. This justifies the use of the t-distribution. **Next Step:** Choose the appropriate choice for computing the confidence interval: - **A.** The 95% confidence interval is [ , ]. (Round to two decimal places as needed.) - **B.** Neither distribution can be used to construct the confidence interval. For this scenario, proceed with option **A** to calculate the 95% confidence interval using the t-distribution.
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