Final answer:
To find the 99.9% confidence interval for the population mean, we use the formula (sample mean - (critical value)(standard deviation)/sqrt(sample size), sample mean + (critical value)(standard deviation)/sqrt(sample size)). Given the sample mean of 78.3, standard deviation of 15.6, and a sample size of 68, we find a confidence interval of approximately (73.9, 82.7).
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the 99.9% confidence interval, we use the formula:
(sample mean - (critical value)(standard deviation)/sqrt(sample size), sample mean + (critical value)(standard deviation)/sqrt(sample size))
Given that the sample mean is 78.3, the standard deviation is 15.6, and the sample size is 68, we need to find the critical value for a 99.9% confidence level.
The critical value can be found using a z-table or calculator, and it corresponds to the area under the standard normal distribution curve. The critical value for a 99.9% confidence level is approximately 3.290. Plugging in these values into the formula, we get:
(78.3 - (3.290)(15.6)/sqrt(68), 78.3 + (3.290)(15.6)/sqrt(68))
Simplifying the expression gives us an open-interval of approximately (73.9, 82.7).