1

ESTIMATION
Estimation is the process of estimating the value of parameter from information
obtained in the sample. An important aspect is the size of the sample.
A point estimate is a specific numerical value estimate of a parameter. The best point
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estimate of the population mean is the sample mean X .

Sample measures are used to estimate population measures. These are called
estimators. A good estimator (unbiased) must be
1. The expected value (mean) of the estimates obtained from the samples is
equal to the parameter being estimated.
2. consistent
3. relatively efficient it has the smallest variance.
is used as an estimate of , we can be 100 (1 )

z / 2
.
that the error will not exceed
n
Theorem: If

confident

It is necessary to determine the sample size to make an accurate estimate. This is one
formula considered in determining the sample size.
2

z
n /2

SAMPLE SIZE:
where e = maximum error estimate, = population standard deviation
and z / 2 = degree of confidence.
Example: The average zinc concentration recovered from a sample of zinc
measurements in 36 different locations is found to be 2.6 grams per millilitre. How
large a sample is required if we want to be 95% confident that our estimate is off by
less than 0.05? Assume that the standard deviation is 0.3.
ANS: n = 139
SINGLE SAMPLE: Estimating the Mean
An interval estimate of a parameter is the interval or range of values used to
estimate the parameter. It may or may not contain the value of the parameter being
estimated.
Confidence Level is the probability that the interval estimate will contain the
parameter. Three common are 90%, 95% and 99% confidence intervals with
significance levels of 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01 respectively.

Prepared by: Engr. Richard T. Earnhart

BS ChE (MIT) MSMath (DLSU) PhD Math(DLSU)

Confidence Intervals for the Mean when Standard Deviation

the Sample Size 30.

is Known or

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X z1 / 2

n
n

FORMULA:
Where z / 2 is the z-value obtained from Table A.3 (Walpole) or
Table 17 p828 (Scheaffer)
__

X z / 2

EXAMPLE: A study of 40 bowlers showed that their average of the mean score was
186. The standard deviation of the population is 6. Find the 95% confidence interval
of the mean score of the bowlers.
ANS: 184.14 187.86
Specific Confidence Interval for the Mean When is Unknown and n < 30.
__

__
s
s
X t / 2

n <
n

X t / 2

Where t /2 is the t-value obtained from Table A.4 (Walpole) or Table 4

p811(Scheaffer) with parameters v = degrees of freedom = n 1 , s = standard
deviation

Prepared by: Engr. Richard T. Earnhart

BS ChE (MIT) MSMath (DLSU) PhD Math(DLSU)

EXAMPLE: The average hemoglobin reading for a sample of 20 math teachers was
16 grams per 100 milliliters, with a sample standard deviation of 2 grams. Find the
95% confidence interval of the true mean.
ANS:

15.06 16.94

Homework:

t=2.093

9.7, 9.9, 9.13 p.286

SEATWORK
9.13 A machine is producing metal pieces that are cylindrical in shape. A sample of
pieces is taken and the diameters are 1.01, 0.97, 1.03, 1.04, 0.99, 0.98, 0.99, 1.01, and
1.03 cm. Find a 99% confidence interval of the true mean diameter of pieces from this
machine, assuming an approximate normal distribution.

Confidence Intervals for Variances and Standard Deviation

The chi-square variable is a family of curves based on the number of degrees

2 (ki). The chi-square distribution

(n 1)s 2
2
(positively skewed) is obtained from the values of
when random samples
2
are selected from a normally distributed population whose variance is .
of freedom. The symbol of chi-square is

Prepared by: Engr. Richard T. Earnhart

BS ChE (MIT) MSMath (DLSU) PhD Math(DLSU)

4
Variance:
(n1)s 2 2 (n1)s 2
< < 2
2 / 2
1 /2
Standard Deviation: Take the square roots of all the members of the
inequality
Use Table A.5 (Walpole) or Table 5, p812 (Scheaffer) for the chi-squared values with
v = n 1 degrees of freedom.

Example: Find the 99% confidence interval for the variance and standard deviation
for the lifetime of batteries if a sample of 20 batteries has a standard deviation of 1.7
months. Assume that the variable is normally distributed.
ANS:

1.42< 2 <8.02 ,

1.19< <2.83

k0.005=38.58, k0.995=6.84

Homework: 9.71 p.310

TWO SAMPLES: Estimating the Difference Between Two Means
VARIANCES KNOWN
Confidence Interval for
Take 1 > 2 .

12 with 12 22 Known:

Prepared by: Engr. Richard T. Earnhart

BS ChE (MIT) MSMath (DLSU) PhD Math(DLSU)

Use Table A.3 for z-values.

Example 9.10 p.286 (Walpole)

VARIANCES UNKNOWN
Confidence Interval for 12 with 12= 22 Unknown:

Prepared by: Engr. Richard T. Earnhart

BS ChE (MIT) MSMath (DLSU) PhD Math(DLSU)

Pooled Estimate of Variance:

Where v = n1 + n2 2 (number of degrees of freedom)

Use Table A.4 for t-values.

Example 9.11 p.291(Walpole)

SOLUTION:

Prepared by: Engr. Richard T. Earnhart

BS ChE (MIT) MSMath (DLSU) PhD Math(DLSU)

Homework: 9.35 and 9.44 p295-294. Walpole 9 th ed

Prepared by: Engr. Richard T. Earnhart

BS ChE (MIT) MSMath (DLSU) PhD Math(DLSU)