Problem

You want to obtain a sample to estimate a population mean. Based on previous evidence, you believe the population standard deviation is approximately σ=64.3. You would like to be 99% confident that your estimate is within 3.75 of the true population mean. How large of a sample size is required?
Do not round mid-calculation. Give your answer in whole people.
n=
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Since we can't have a fraction of a person, we'll round up to the nearest whole number. Therefore, the required sample size is 1951.

Steps

Step 1 :We are given that the population standard deviation σ is 64.3, the desired margin of error E is 3.75, and the confidence level is 99%.

Step 2 :The Z-score corresponding to a 99% confidence level is approximately 2.576. This value can be found using a standard normal distribution table or a statistical calculator.

Step 3 :We can use the formula for the sample size needed to estimate a population mean with a certain level of confidence: n=(Zσ/E)2.

Step 4 :Substituting the given values into the formula, we get n=(2.57664.3/3.75)2.

Step 5 :Calculating the above expression, we find that n is approximately 1950.6.

Step 6 :Since we can't have a fraction of a person, we'll round up to the nearest whole number. Therefore, the required sample size is 1951.

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