Step 1 :Given that the sample mean (\(\bar{x}\)) is 34.05, the sample standard deviation (\(s\)) is 23.51, and the sample size (\(n\)) is 137.
Step 2 :We need to find the Z-score for an 80% confidence level. The Z-score for an 80% confidence level is 1.28.
Step 3 :We use the formula for the confidence interval for the mean, which is \(\bar{x} \pm Z \frac{s}{\sqrt{n}}\).
Step 4 :Substitute the given values into the formula to find the confidence interval: \(34.05 \pm 1.28 \frac{23.51}{\sqrt{137}}\).
Step 5 :Calculate the margin of error, which is \(1.28 \frac{23.51}{\sqrt{137}} = 2.57\).
Step 6 :Subtract the margin of error from the sample mean to find the lower limit of the confidence interval: \(34.05 - 2.57 = 31.48\).
Step 7 :Add the margin of error to the sample mean to find the upper limit of the confidence interval: \(34.05 + 2.57 = 36.62\).
Step 8 :Final Answer: An 80% confidence interval for the mean number of letter sounds identified in one minute is \(\boxed{31.48<\mu<36.62}\).
Step 9 :If a 95% confidence interval were constructed with these data, it would be wider than the interval constructed in Part (a) because a higher confidence level requires a larger margin of error.