8.1 A single population mean using the normal distribution

It is important that the "standard deviation" used must be appropriate for the parameter we are estimating, so in this section we need to use the standard deviation that applies to sample means, which is $\frac{\sigma }{\sqrt{n}}$ . The fraction $\frac{\sigma }{\sqrt{n}}$ , is commonly called the "standard error of the mean" in order to distinguish clearly the standard deviation for a mean from the population standard deviation σ .

In summary, as a result of the central limit theorem:

• $\overline{X}$ is normally distributed, that is, $\overline{X}$ ~ N $\left({\mu }_X,\frac{\sigma }{\sqrt{n}}\right)$ .
• When the population standard deviation σ is known, we use a normal distribution to calculate the error bound.

Calculating the confidence interval

To construct a confidence interval estimate for an unknown population mean, we need data from a random sample. The steps to construct and interpret the confidence interval are:

• Calculate the sample mean $\overline{x}$ from the sample data. Remember, in this section we already know the population standard deviation σ .
• Find the z -score that corresponds to the confidence level.
• Calculate the error bound EBM .
• Construct the confidence interval.
• Write a sentence that interprets the estimate in the context of the situation in the problem. (Explain what the confidence interval means, in the words of the problem.)

We will first examine each step in more detail, and then illustrate the process with some examples.

Finding the z -score for the stated confidence level

When we know the population standard deviation σ , we use a standard normal distribution to calculate the error bound EBM and construct the confidence interval. We need to find the value of z that puts an area equal to the confidence level (in decimal form) in the middle of the standard normal distribution Z ~ N (0, 1).

The confidence level, CL , is the area in the middle of the standard normal distribution. CL = 1 – α , so α is the area that is split equally between the two tails. Each of the tails contains an area equal to $\frac{\alpha }{2}$ .

The z-score that has an area to the right of $\frac{\alpha }{2}$ is denoted by $z_{\frac{\alpha }{2}}$ .

For example, when CL = 0.95, α = 0.05 and $\frac{\alpha }{2}$ = 0.025; we write $z_{\frac{\alpha }{2}}$ = z _0.025 .

The area to the right of z _0.025 is 0.025 and the area to the left of z _0.025 is 1 – 0.025 = 0.975.

$z_{\frac{\alpha }{2}}\text{ = }{z}_{0.\text{025}}\text{ = 1}\text{.96}$ , using a calculator, computer or a standard normal probability table.

Calculating the error bound ( EBM )

The error bound formula for an unknown population mean μ when the population standard deviation σ is known is

• EBM = $\left(z_{\frac{\alpha }{2}}\right)\left(\frac{\sigma }{\sqrt{n}}\right)$

Constructing the confidence interval

• The confidence interval estimate has the format $(\overline{x}–EBM,\overline{x}+EBM)$ .

The graph gives a picture of the entire situation.

CL + $\frac{\alpha }{2}$ + $\frac{\alpha }{2}$ = CL + α = 1.

Writing the interpretation

The interpretation should clearly state the confidence level ( CL ), explain what population parameter is being estimated (here, a population mean ), and state the confidence interval (both endpoints). "We estimate with ___% confidence that the true population mean (include the context of the problem) is between ___ and ___ (include appropriate units)."