Can you taste PTC? PTC is a substance that has a strong bitter taste for some people and is tasteless for others. The ability to taste PTC is inherited. About 75% of Italians can taste PTC, for example. You want to estimate the proportion of Americans who have at least one Italian grandparent and who can taste PTC.

(a) How large a sample must you test to estimate the proportion of PTC tasters within 0.04with 90% confidence? Answer this question using the 75% estimate as to the guessed value for p.

(b) Answer the question in part (a) again, but this time use the conservative guess p=0.5. By how much do the two sample sizes differ?

Short Answer

Expert verified

From the given information,

a) The sample size of 318has tested PTC when the sample proportion pis75%

b) The sample size is increased by105when the guessed valuepis0.5

Step by step solution

01

part (a) Step 1: Given Information 

It is given in the question that,

margin of error E=0.04

guessed value p=75%

confidence interval =90%

02

part (a) Step 2: Explanation 

The confidence interval is 90%

convert 90% into decimal.

90100=0.90

For confidence interval 0.90, use table A

convert 75%into decimal.

75100=0.75

Now, find the sample size. Use the formula n=[za/2]2p(1p)E2

n=[za/2]2p(1p)E2

n=1.6452×0.75×(10.75)0.042

=318

Therefore, the sample size is318

03

part (b) Step 1: Given Information 

It is given in the question that,

margin of error E=0.04

guessed value P=75%

confidence interval =90%

By how much do the two sample sizes differ?

04

part (b) Step 2: Explanation 

Convert 90%into decimal.

90100=0.90

For confidence interval 0.90, use table A.

zα/2=1.645

From part (a) sample size n = 318

Find the new sample size. Use the formula n=[zo/2]2p(1p)E2

n=[za/2]2p(1p)E2

n=1.6452×0.5×(10.5)0.042

=423

Thus, the new sample size is 423

For the difference between the sample sizes, subtract nfrom n'

nn=423318

=105

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