6-46
 6. Confidence Interval    
  A confidence interval is a range (interval) that includes a statistical value, usually the 
population mean.
  
  A confidence interval that is too broad makes it difficult to get an idea of where the population 
value (true value) is located. A narrow confidence interval, on the other hand, limits the 
population value and makes it difficult to obtain reliable results. The most commonly used 
confidence levels are 95% and 99%. Raising the confidence level broadens the confidence 
interval, while lowering the confidence level narrows the confidence level, but it also 
increases the chance of accidently overlooking the population value. With a 95% confidence 
interval, for example, the population value is not included within the resulting intervals 5% of 
the time.
  
  When you plan to conduct a survey and then  t  test and  Z  test the data, you must also consider 
the sample size, confidence interval width, and confidence level. The confidence level changes 
in accordance with the application.
  
   1-Sample  Z  Interval  calculates the confidence interval for an unknown population mean when 
the population standard deviation is known.
   2-Sample  
Z  Interval  calculates the confidence interval for the difference between two 
population means when the population standard deviations of two samples are known.
   1-Prop  
Z  Interval  calculates the confidence interval for an unknown proportion of successes.
   2-Prop  
Z  Interval  calculates the confidence interval for the difference between the proportion 
of successes in two populations.
   1-Sample  
t  Interval  calculates the confidence interval for an unknown population mean when 
the population standard deviation is unknown.
   2-Sample  
t  Interval  calculates the confidence interval for the difference between two 
population means when both population standard deviations are unknown.
  
  On the initial  Statistics  mode screen, press  4(INTR) to display the confidence interval 
menu, which contains the following items.
  
     •  4(INTR) 1(Z) ... Z  intervals (page 6-47)
         2(t) ... 
t  intervals (page 6-48)
  
  After setting all the parameters, use  c to move the highlighting to “Execute” and then press 
the function key shown below to perform the calculation.
  
    •  1(CALC) ... Performs the calculation. 
  
  • There is no graphing for confidence interval functions.