Topic 12 Central Limit Theorem PDF
Topic 12 Central Limit Theorem PDF
In statistics, the given data set represents a sample from the entire population. Using this sample, we try to see
the patterns in the data. We then try to generalize the patterns in the sample to the population while making the
predictions. Central limit theorem helps us to make inferences about the sample and population parameters.
Central Limit Theorem states that the sampling distribution of the mean approaches a normal distribution, as the
sample size increases. Regardless of the initial shape of the population distribution, if samples of size n are randomly
selected from a population, the sampling distribution of the sampling means will approach a normal distribution as the
sample size n gets larger.
The standard error of the mean measures the degree of accuracy of the sample mean(𝝁𝑿
̅ ) as an estimate of
the population mean ( 𝝁). It is also known as the standard deviation of the sampling distribution of the sampling mean,
denoted by𝝈𝒙̅ . It is a measure of the variability in the mean from sample to sample is given by the Standard Error of the
Mean, which is simply equal to the standard deviation of the sampling distribution of the sample means 𝝈𝑿 ̅ ̅:
Formula:
Remember that if we want to get a good estimate of the population mean, we have to make n sufficiently large.
This fact is stated as a theorem in the Central Limit Theorem. Note that the standard error of the mean decreases as the
sample size increases.
Central Limit theorem is important because it teaches researchers to use a limited sample to make intelligent and
accurate conclusions about a greater population. It also justifies the use of normal curve methods for a wide range of
problems.
̅−𝝁
𝒙
Furthermore, it justifies the use of the formula 𝒛 = 𝝈 when computing for the probability that 𝑥̅ will take a
√𝒏
value within a given range in the sampling distribution of 𝑥̅ ; where:
̅ = is the sample mean
𝒙 µ = population mean,
σ = population standard deviation n = sample size
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a. If 50 randomly selected senior high school students take the examination, what is the probability that the mean
time it takes the group to complete the test will be less than 43 minutes? Does it seem reasonable that the mean
of the 50 senior high school students could be less than 43 minutes?
0.3446
–0.40
Step 5: Perform appropriate operations to Since the graph shows to the left, it means that the given z value is the
get the required area/probability, if area.
needed. That is, P(𝑥̅ < 43) = 𝑃(𝑧 < −0.40) = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟒𝟒𝟔.
Step 6: Convert the decimal in Step 5 to a P(𝑥̅ < 43) = 𝟑𝟒. 𝟒𝟔%
percentage. Therefore, the probability that a randomly selected senior high
school student will complete the examination in less than 43 minutes is
34.46%. Yes, it is reasonable to finish the exam in less than 43 minutes
since the probability is more than 1.
–2.83
Step 5: Perform appropriate operations to Since the graph shows to the left, it means that the given z value is the
get the required area/probability, if area.
needed. That is, P(𝑥̅ < 43) = 𝑃(𝑧 < −2.83) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟑.
Step 6: Convert the decimal in Step 5 to a P(𝑥̅ < 43) = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟑%
percentage. Therefore, the probability that a randomly selected 50 senior high
school students will complete the examination in less than 43 minutes is
0.23%. No, it’s not reasonable since the probability is less than 1.
2. An electrical company claims that the average life of the bulbs it manufactures is 1 200 hours with a standard deviation
of 250 hours. If a random sample of 100 bulbs is chosen, what is the probability that the sample mean will be between
1150 hours and 1 250 hours?
Solution:
STEPS SOLUTION
Step1: Identify the parts of the problem. Given: 𝜇 = 1200 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠; 𝜎 = 250 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠; 𝑛 = 100 𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑏𝑠
𝑥̅ = 1 150 & 1 250 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
Find: 𝑃(𝑥̅ < 43)
Step 2: Use the formula to find the z-score. ̅−𝝁
𝒙 𝟏𝟏𝟓𝟎 − 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟎 −𝟓𝟎
𝒛= 𝝈 = =
𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝟕. 𝟗𝟏
√𝒏 √ 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝒛 = −𝟐
̅−𝝁
𝒙 𝟏𝟐𝟓𝟎 − 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝟓𝟎
𝒛= 𝝈 = =
𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝟕. 𝟗𝟏
√𝒏 √𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝒛 = 𝟐
Step 3: Use the z-table to look up the z- 𝑧 = −2 has a corresponding area of 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟐𝟖.
score you calculated in step 2. 𝑧 = 2 has a corresponding area of 𝟎. 𝟗𝟕𝟕𝟐.
Step 4: Draw a graph and plot the z-score Since we are looking for the probability between 1 150 hours and 1 250
and its corresponding area. Then, shade hours, the shaded part will be between –2 and 2.
the part that you’re looking for: 𝑃(1150 <
𝑋̅ < 1250)
Step 5: Perform appropriate operations to Since it is in between two z’s, subtract the highest z and smallest z to get
get the required area/probability, if the required area.
needed. 0.9772 − 0.0228 = 0.9544
That is, 𝑃(1150 < X ̅ < 1250) = 𝑃(−2 < 𝑧 < 2) = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟓𝟒𝟒.
Step 6: Convert the decimal in Step 5 to a 𝑃(1150 < ̅ X < 1250) = 𝟗𝟓. 𝟒𝟒%
percentage. Therefore, the probability of randomly selected 100 bulbs to have a
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Activity 2. Let’s see how well you understood our discussion. At this point, I want you to solve the following problems.
Show your complete solution by following the step-bystep procedure.
1.The average number of milligrams (mg) of cholesterol in a cup of a certain brand of ice cream is 660 mg, the standard
deviation is 35 mg. Assume the variable is normally distributed.
a. If a cup of ice cream is selected, what is the probability that the cholesterol content will be more than 670 mg?
b. If a sample of 10 cups of ice cream is selected, what is the probability that the mean of the sample will be larger
than 670 mg?
2. In a study of the life expectancy of 400 people in a certain geographic region, the mean age at death was 70 years,
and the standard deviation was 5.1 years. If a sample of 50 people from this region is selected, what is the probability
that the mean life expectancy will be less than 68 years?
3. The average cholesterol content of a certain canned goods is 215 milligrams, and the standard deviation is 15
milligrams. Assume that the variable is normally distributed. If a sample of 25 canned goods is selected, what is the
probability that the mean of the sample will be greater than 220 milligrams?
4. The average public elementary school has 468 students with a standard deviation of 87. If a random sample of 38
public elementary schools is selected, what is the probability that the number of students enrolled is between 445
and 485?
Activity 3. This time, I want you to work on the activity below based on your understanding of the topic by completing
each sentence.
I. Supply the missing words/phrase that will make the sentence complete.
1. Central Limit Theorem states that the sampling distribution of the mean approaches a
____________________________ as the sample size increases.
2. A good estimate of the mean is obtained if the standard error of the mean is small or _______________.
3. The mean is a poor estimate if the standard error of the mean is _______________.
4. The mean of the sampling distribution of the sample means is _______________ to the population mean.
5. The _____________________________ measures the degree of accuracy of the sample mean as an estimate
of the population mean.
Activity 4. Directions: Read, analyze, and solve the problems below. Show your complete solutions.
1. There are 250 dogs at a dog show that weigh an average of 12 pounds, with a standard deviation of 8 pounds. If 4
dogs are chosen at random, what is the probability that the average weight is greater than 8 pounds?
2. The average number of pages in a novel is 326 with a standard deviation of 24 pages. If a sample of 50 novels is
randomly chosen, what is the probability that the average number of pages in these books is between 319 and 331?
3. The number of driving miles before a certain kind of tire begins to show wear is on the average, 16,800 miles with
a standard deviation of 3,300 miles.
a. What is the probability that the 36 tires will have an average of less than 16,000 miles until the tires begin to wear
out?
b. What is the probability that the 36 tires will have an average of more than 18,000 miles until the tires begin to
wear out?
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