1
NOTES: sample proportions sampling distributions
A Simple Random Sample used to obtain
p
ˆ
provides an unbiased estimator of
p
. In other words, the
mean of the sampling distribution of the
p
ˆ
numbers is
p
. In notation:
Also, the standard deviation of the sampling distribution of the
p
ˆ
numbers is given by (where
n
is the
sample size):
Conditions/Requirements:
Sample proportions (
p
ˆ
numbers) have a normal sampling distribution, with mean and standard deviation
formulas above, provided certain conditions are met:
1. The sample proportion
p
ˆ
must be obtained from a Simple Random Sample (SRS).
2.
10
≥
np
. (Note that some books say that it is sufficient for
5
≥
np
.)
3.
10)1(
≥
−
pn
. (Note that some books say that it is sufficient for
5)1(
≥
−
pn
.)
4. The population size is at least ten times the sample size (
n
).
EXERCISES:
1. Suppose medical researchers think that 0.70 is the proportion of all teenagers with high blood
pressure whose blood pressure would decrease if they took calcium supplements. To test this
theory, the researchers plan a clinical trial (experiment) in which 200 random teenagers with high
blood pressure will take regular calcium supplements.
a. Assume 0.70 actually is the population proportion that would experience a decrease in
blood pressure. What are the numerical values of the mean and standard deviation of the
sampling distribution of the sample proportions for samples of 200 teenagers?
b. Use the results of part (a) to calculate an interval that will contain the sample proportion
for about 99.7% of all samples of 200 teenagers.
c. In the clinical trial, 120 of the 200 teenagers taking calcium supplements experienced a
decrease in blood pressure. What is the value of
p
ˆ
for this sample? Is this value a
parameter or a statistic?
d. What is the probability of having 120 or fewer experience a decrease of blood pressure
out of a sample of 200 teenagers taking calcium supplements?
e. We have used the properties of a normal distribution. Show that the
conditions/requirements are satisfied.
(
)
pp =
ˆ
µ
( )
n
pp
pSD )1(
ˆ−
=
