One Environmental Group Did A Study Of Recycling Habits
One Environmental Group Did A Study Of Recycling Habits In A Californi
One environmental group conducted a study of recycling habits in a California community. The study found that 73% of the aluminum cans sold in the area were recycled. Based on this information, determine the probability of certain recycling outcomes using binomial and normal approximation methods.
Paper For Above instruction
The given scenario involves analyzing recycling habits in a Californian community, with the key statistic being that 73% of aluminum cans are recycled. Utilizing this data, we want to evaluate the probability that a certain number of cans will be recycled in a sample of 388 cans sold recently, specifically calculating the probability that 300 or more cans will be recycled and that between 260 and 300 cans will be recycled.
Part A: Probability that 300 or more cans are recycled
Given:
- Population proportion, p = 0.73
- Sample size, n = 388
- Number of recycled cans, X ≥ 300
The problem involves a binomial distribution, where:
\[ X \sim \text{Binomial}(n=388, p=0.73) \]
To find \( P(X \geq 300) \), the binomial distribution can be approximated using the normal distribution due to the large sample size (n > 30), which satisfies the conditions for the approximation's validity.
Calculating the parameters for the normal approximation:
- Mean:
\[ \mu = np = 388 \times 0.73 = 283.24 \]
- Standard deviation:
\[ \sigma = \sqrt{np(1 - p)} = \sqrt{388 \times 0.73 \times 0.27} \approx \sqrt{388 \times 0.1971} \approx \sqrt{76.422} \approx 8.744 \]
Applying the continuity correction for the discrete binomial to continuous normal approximation:
\[ P(X \geq 300) \approx P\left( X \geq 299.5 \right) = P\left( Z \geq \frac{299.5 - \mu}{\sigma} \right) \]
Calculate the z-score:
\[ z = \frac{299.5 - 283.24}{8.744} = \frac{16.26}{8.744} \approx 1.86 \]
Using standard normal distribution tables or calculator:
\[ P(Z \geq 1.86) = 1 - P(Z \leq 1.86) \]
\[ P(Z \leq 1.86) \approx 0.9686 \]
\[ P(Z \geq 1.86) \approx 1 - 0.9686 = 0.0314 \]
Result:
The probability that 300 or more cans are recycled is approximately 0.0314 or about 3.14%.
---
Part B: Probability that between 260 and 300 cans are recycled
Define:
- X follows the same binomial distribution as above.
Using the normal approximation:
- Find the z-scores for X = 259.5 and X = 300.5 with continuity correction.
For X = 260:
\[ z_{lower} = \frac{260 - 0.5 - 283.24}{8.744} = \frac{-23.74}{8.744} \approx -2.72 \]
For X = 300:
\[ z_{upper} = \frac{300.5 - 283.24}{8.744} = \frac{17.26}{8.744} \approx 1.98 \]
Using standard normal tables:
\[ P(260 \leq X \leq 300) \approx P(-2.72 \leq Z \leq 1.98) \]
\[ = P(Z \leq 1.98) - P(Z \leq -2.72) \]
\[ \approx 0.9761 - 0.0033 = 0.9728 \]
Result:
The probability that between 260 and 300 cans are recycled is approximately 0.9728, or 97.28%.
---
Confidence Interval for Coworkers’ Wakefulness Duration
The second part involves estimating the average time coworkers can stay awake based on a sample. The sample times (in hours) are: 1.9, 0.8, 1.1, 0.1, -0.1, 4.4, 5.5, 1.6, 4.6, 3.4.
Calculations:
- Sample mean (\(\bar{x}\)):
\[
\bar{x} = \frac{1.9 + 0.8 + 1.1 + 0.1 + (-0.1) + 4.4 + 5.5 + 1.6 + 4.6 + 3.4}{10} = \frac{23.0}{10} = 2.3 \text{ hours}
\]
- Sample standard deviation (s):
Calculate deviations from the mean and their squares:
| Time | Deviation from mean | Squared deviation |
|--------|---------------------|-------------------|
| 1.9 | -0.4 | 0.16 |
| 0.8 | -1.5 | 2.25 |
| 1.1 | -1.2 | 1.44 |
| 0.1 | -2.2 | 4.84 |
| -0.1 | -2.4 | 5.76 |
| 4.4 | 2.1 | 4.41 |
| 5.5 | 3.2 | 10.24 |
| 1.6 | -0.7 | 0.49 |
| 4.6 | 2.3 | 5.29 |
| 3.4 | 1.1 | 1.21 |
Sum of squared deviations = 36.33
Sample variance:
\[
s^2 = \frac{\text{Sum of squared deviations}}{n - 1} = \frac{36.33}{9} \approx 4.03
\]
Standard deviation:
\[
s = \sqrt{4.03} \approx 2.006
\]
Constructing the 95% confidence interval:
- Degrees of freedom: \( df = 9 \)
- \( t_{0.975,9} \approx 2.262 \) (from t-distribution table)
Margin of error:
\[
ME = t \times \frac{s}{\sqrt{n}} = 2.262 \times \frac{2.006}{\sqrt{10}} \approx 2.262 \times 0.634 = 1.434
\]
Confidence interval:
\[
\bar{x} \pm ME = 2.3 \pm 1.434
\]
- Lower bound: \( 2.3 - 1.434 = 0.866 \)
- Upper bound: \( 2.3 + 1.434 = 3.734 \)
Interpretation:
With 95% confidence, the average wakefulness time for all coworkers lies between approximately 0.87 hours and 3.73 hours.
Conclusion:
The probability that in a sample of 388 cans, 300 or more are recycled is about 3.14%. The probability that between 260 and 300 cans are recycled is roughly 97.28%. Additionally, the 95% confidence interval for coworkers’ wakefulness duration is approximately 0.87 to 3.73 hours, indicating considerable variation in individual wakefulness.
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