To find a \(99\%\) confidence interval estimate of the mean body temperature of all healthy humans given the data, we can follow these steps:
### 1. Understanding the given data:
- Sample size (\(n\)) = 110
- Sample mean (\(\bar{x}\)) = \(98.1^{\circ} F\)
- Sample standard deviation (\(s\)) = \(0.64^{\circ} F\)
- Confidence level = \(99\%\)
### 2. Determine the critical value for the given confidence level:
For a \(99\%\) confidence level, the significance level (\(\alpha\)) is calculated as follows:
[tex]\[
\alpha = 1 - \text{confidence level} = 1 - 0.99 = 0.01
\][/tex]
Since it's a two-tailed test, we divide \(\alpha\) by 2:
[tex]\[
\alpha/2 = 0.01/2 = 0.005
\][/tex]
We then use the standard normal distribution (Z-distribution) to find the critical value \(z_{\alpha/2}\):
[tex]\[
z_{\alpha/2} \approx 2.576
\][/tex]
(This value is obtained from the standard normal distribution table corresponding to \(\alpha/2 = 0.005\)).
### 3. Calculate the standard error of the mean (SE):
The standard error of the mean is given by:
[tex]\[
SE = \frac{s}{\sqrt{n}} = \frac{0.64}{\sqrt{110}} \approx 0.061
\][/tex]
### 4. Calculate the margin of error (E):
The margin of error is calculated using:
[tex]\[
E = z_{\alpha/2} \times SE = 2.576 \times 0.061 \approx 0.157
\][/tex]
### 5. Construct the confidence interval:
The confidence interval is determined by:
[tex]\[
\text{Lower bound} = \bar{x} - E = 98.1 - 0.157 \approx 97.943
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Upper bound} = \bar{x} + E = 98.1 + 0.157 \approx 98.257
\][/tex]
So, the \(99\%\) confidence interval estimate of the population mean body temperature \(\mu\) is:
[tex]\[
97.943 \,^{\circ}\text{F} < \mu < 98.257 \,^{\circ}\text{F}
\][/tex]
### Interpretation:
This confidence interval suggests that the mean body temperature of all healthy humans is likely to lie between \(97.943^{\circ}F\) and \(98.257^{\circ}F\) with \(99\%\) confidence. Since \(98.6^{\circ}F\) is not within this range, it suggests that the commonly accepted mean body temperature of \(98.6^{\circ}F\) may be higher than the actual mean body temperature of the population.
Therefore, given this confidence interval, the use of [tex]\(98.6^{\circ}F\)[/tex] as the mean body temperature might need to be revisited, as it appears to be an overestimate based on the sample data provided.
