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The speeds of 25 randomly selected cars are collected over one month in randomly selected school zones. An average speed of 22.7 m.p.h. with a standard deviation of 3.63 m.p.h. is calculated. Calculate the 95% confidence interval for the population’s average speed.

a. 21.2 m.p.h. to 24.2 m.p.h.
b. 20.8 m.p.h. to 25.0 m.p.h.
c. 21.5 m.p.h. to 23.9 m.p.h.
d. 20.4 m.p.h. to 25.6 m.p.h.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The 95% confidence interval for the population's average speed, rounded to one decimal place, is 21.3 m.p.h. to 24.1 m.p.h. This calculation is based on the given sample mean, standard deviation, sample size, and z-score for a 95% confidence level.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the 95% confidence interval for the population's average speed, we use the formula for a confidence interval for the mean, which is given by:

\[\bar{x} \pm z\frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{n}}\]

  • \(\bar{x}\) is the sample mean
  • \(z\) is the z-score corresponding to the confidence level
  • \(\sigma\) is the standard deviation
  • \(n\) is the sample size

For this problem, we have:

  • \(\bar{x} = 22.7\) m.p.h.
  • \(\sigma = 3.63\) m.p.h.
  • \(n = 25\)

The z-score for a 95% confidence interval is approximately 1.96. Plugging the values into the formula gives:

\[22.7 \pm 1.96\frac{3.63}{\sqrt{25}}\]

\[22.7 \pm 1.96\times 0.726\]

\[22.7 \pm 1.4236\]

Therefore, the 95% confidence interval for the population's average speed is:

\[21.2764 \text{ m.p.h.} \text{ to } 24.1236 \text{ m.p.h.}\]

Rounded to one decimal place, the confidence interval is \(21.3 m.p.h. to 24.1 m.p.h.\).

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