A simple random sample of size [tex]\( n \)[/tex] is drawn from a normally distributed population. The mean of the sample is [tex]\(\bar{x}\)[/tex], and the standard deviation is [tex]\( s \)[/tex].

What is the [tex]\( 99\% \)[/tex] confidence interval for the population mean?

Use the table below to help you answer the question.

[tex]\[
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|}
\hline
Confidence Level & \( 90\% \) & \( 95\% \) & \( 99\% \) \\
\hline
\( z^* \)-score & 1.645 & 1.96 & 2.58 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\][/tex]

A. [tex]\(\bar{x} \pm \frac{0.90 \cdot s}{\sqrt{n}}\)[/tex]

B. [tex]\(\bar{x} \pm \frac{0.99 \cdot s}{\sqrt{n}}\)[/tex]

C. [tex]\(\bar{x} \pm \frac{1.645 \cdot s}{\sqrt{n}}\)[/tex]

D. [tex]\(\bar{x} \pm \frac{2.58 \cdot s}{\sqrt{n}}\)[/tex]



Answer :

To find the [tex]\(99 \%\)[/tex] confidence interval for the population mean, we'll follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the given values
- Sample size: [tex]\( n \)[/tex]
- Sample mean: [tex]\( \bar{x} \)[/tex]
- Sample standard deviation: [tex]\( s \)[/tex]
- Confidence level: [tex]\( 99\% \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( z^ \)[/tex]-score for [tex]\( 99\% \)[/tex] confidence level from the provided table: [tex]\( 2.58 \)[/tex]

### Step 2: Identify the Margin of Error (MOE)
The margin of error for a confidence interval (CI) is calculated using the formula:
[tex]\[ \text{Margin of Error} = z^
\cdot \left( \frac{s}{\sqrt{n}} \right) \][/tex]

For a [tex]\( 99\% \)[/tex] CI:
[tex]\[ z^* = 2.58 \][/tex]

Hence,
[tex]\[ \text{Margin of Error} = 2.58 \cdot \left( \frac{s}{\sqrt{n}} \right) \][/tex]

### Step 3: Calculate the Confidence Interval
The general form of a confidence interval for a population mean is:
[tex]\[ \bar{x} \pm \text{Margin of Error} \][/tex]

Substituting the margin of error we found:
[tex]\[ \bar{x} \pm 2.58 \cdot \left( \frac{s}{\sqrt{n}} \right) \][/tex]

### Step 4: Conclusion
The [tex]\(99 \%\)[/tex] confidence interval for the population mean is:
[tex]\[ \bar{x} \pm \frac{2.58 \cdot s}{\sqrt{n}} \][/tex]

Thus, the correct answer, based on the options provided, is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{\bar{x} \pm \frac{2.58 \cdot s}{\sqrt{n}}} \][/tex]

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