Question

Marine biologists have been studying the effects of acidification of the oceans on weights of male baluga whales in the Arctic Ocean. One of the studies involves a random sample of 16 baluga whales. The researchers want to create a 95% confidence interval to estimate the true mean weight of male baluga whales. Their data follow a normal distribution. The population standard deviation of weights of male baluga whales is ????=125 kg, and the researchers feel comfortable using this standard deviation for their confidence interval.

Assuming the relevant requirements are met, calculate the margin of error in estimating the true mean weight of male baluga whales in the Artic Ocean.
a. 15.31 kg
b. 51.40 kg
c. 61.25 kg
d. 80.49 kg

Answer 1

c. 61.25 kg

Explanation:

The margin of error in estimating the true mean weight of male baluga whales in the Artic Ocean.

a. 15.31 kg

b. 51.40 kg

c. 61.25 kg

d. 80.49 kg

Margin of Error Formula= z × Standard deviation/√n

95% confidence interval = 1.96

Standard deviation = 125kg

n = 16 samples

Margin of error= 1.96 × 125/√16

= 1.96 × 125/4

= 245/4

= 61.25kg

The margin of error in estimating the true mean weight of male baluga whales in the Artic Ocean is 61.25kg