Question
Assume a random sample representative of the population is surveyed. If 20 people in the sample of size 54 are in favor, can the normal distribution approximation be used to estimate probabilities? (a) \( n p= \) (b) \( n(1-p)= \) (c) Yes, a normal distribution approximation can be used No, a normal distribution approximation can't be used
Ask by Martinez Klein. in the United States
Mar 15,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
(a) \( n p = 20 \)
(b) \( n(1-p) = 34 \)
(c) Yes, a normal distribution approximation can be used
Solution
**Step 1: Calculate \( n p \)**
Given that the sample size is \( n = 54 \) and the number in favor is 20, the sample proportion is
\[
p = \frac{20}{54}.
\]
Then,
\[
n p = 54 \times \frac{20}{54} = 20.
\]
**Step 2: Calculate \( n(1-p) \)**
Since
\[
1-p = 1 - \frac{20}{54} = \frac{34}{54},
\]
we have
\[
n(1-p)= 54 \times \frac{34}{54} = 34.
\]
**Step 3: Check if the normal approximation can be used**
A common rule of thumb for using the normal approximation is that both \( n p \) and \( n(1-p) \) should be at least 10. Here,
\[
n p = 20 \quad \text{and} \quad n(1-p) = 34,
\]
which both satisfy the criterion.
**Answers:**
(a) \( n p = 20 \)
(b) \( n(1-p) = 34 \)
(c) Yes, a normal distribution approximation can be used.
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Bonus Knowledge
To assess whether the normal distribution approximation can be applied, first we need to calculate \( n p \) and \( n(1-p) \). Here, \( n = 54 \) and \( p = \frac{20}{54} \approx 0.3704 \). (a) \( n p = 54 \times 0.3704 \approx 20 \) (b) \( n(1 - p) = 54 \times (1 - 0.3704) \approx 34 \) Since both calculated values are greater than 5, we can confidently say that a normal distribution approximation can be used. Thus, the answer is: **Yes, a normal distribution approximation can be used.**