Final answer:
To find the reliability factor, you need to determine the z-score corresponding to the desired confidence level. The z-score can be found using a standard normal probability table or a calculator. For 81% confidence level, the reliability factor is approximately 1.41. For 86% confidence level, the reliability factor is approximately 1.56. For 80% confidence level, the reliability factor is approximately 1.28.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reliability factor, Zα/2, is used to estimate the mean of a normally distributed population with a known population variance. To find the reliability factor, we need to determine the z-score corresponding to the desired confidence level. The z-score can be found using a standard normal probability table or a calculator.
- For the 81% confidence level, the area in the tails is 0.19. Since the distribution is symmetric, each tail will have an area of 0.095. Therefore, the z-score corresponding to this confidence level is approximately 1.41.
- For the 86% confidence level, the area in the tails is 0.14. Each tail will have an area of 0.07. The z-score corresponding to this confidence level is approximately 1.56.
- For the 80% confidence level, the area in the tails is 0.20. Each tail will have an area of 0.10. The z-score corresponding to this confidence level is approximately 1.28.