Aim: To Calculate Sample Size to estimate a sample mean with specified precision (absolute or relative).

Formula Used: if allowable error is absolute


Formula Used: if allowable error is realtive

Z 1-α/2 = the standard normal deviate corresponding the confidence level

ε = Precision (< 1) (e.g. 10% = 0.1)

SD = Standard deviation

x̄ = anticipated sample mean


Example 1:

Find the minimum sample size required to estimate the mean height of students within 2 cm of it’s value, with confidence level of 95%, considering that the heights of students are normally distributed with a standard deviation = 20 cm.

Solution:

Here

SD = 20, ε (absolute error) = 2, Confidence level = 95%

After putting these values, we get required sample size = 384


What will happen after selecting this sample size, considering that the mean height is 165 cm and SD of 20 cm.

SE of mean = SQRT(SD^2/N) = SQRT (20^2/384) = 1.02

95 % CI of mean = mean ± 1.96 * SE

95% CI of mean = 165 ± 1.96 * 1.02

95% CI of mean = 165 ± 2 = 163 – 167 (allowable error of 2 towards both sides of mean, at 95% confidence level)


Example 2:

Find the minimum sample size required to estimate the mean height of students within 2% of it’s value, with confidence level of 95%, considering that the heights of students are normally distributed with approximate mean of 160 cm and standard deviation = 10 cm.

Solution:

Here

SD = 10, mean = 160 cm, ε (relative error) = 2 %, Confidence level = 95%

After putting these values, we get required sample size = 38


What will happen after selecting this sample size.

SE of mean = SQRT(SD^2/N) = SQRT (10^2/38) = 1.62

95 % CI of mean = mean ± 1.96 * SE

95% CI of mean = 160 ± 1.96 * 1.62

95% CI of mean = 160 ± 3.18 = 157 – 163 (allowable error of 3, which is approximately equal to 2% of 160, after removing fractions)


@ Sachin Mumbare