High School

A department chair interviewed 500 students and found that 145 students had a part-time job. How large is the sample size needed with 80% confidence within 2%?

A) 169
B) 169
C) 169
D) 169

Answer :

Final answer:

To determine the needed sample size with 80% confidence within 2%, you can use a calculation formula with the Z-score and values for proportion and margin of error, yielding a result of approximately 169.

Explanation:

To calculate the sample size needed with 80% confidence within 2%, you can use the formula:

n = (Z^2 * p * (1-p)) / E^2

Where:

  • n = required sample size
  • Z = z-score for the desired confidence level (1.28 for 80% confidence)
  • p = estimated proportion (145/500 in this case)
  • E = margin of error (0.02)

Plugging in the values, the calculation yields:

n = (1.28^2 * 0.29 * 0.71) / 0.02^2 ≈ 169

Therefore, the sample size needed is 169.