Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2014 June — Question 3 8 marks

Exam BoardPre-U
ModulePre-U 9795/2 (Pre-U Further Mathematics Paper 2)
Year2014
SessionJune
Marks8
TopicConfidence intervals
TypeCalculate CI for proportion
DifficultyStandard +0.8 This is a capture-recapture problem requiring understanding of the underlying probability model, construction of a confidence interval for a proportion (requiring normal approximation and appropriate z-value), and then the non-trivial step of transforming this interval via the reciprocal relationship N = 400/p. The transformation of confidence intervals through non-linear functions is conceptually demanding and goes beyond routine A-level statistics.
Spec5.05d Confidence intervals: using normal distribution

A random sample of 400 seabirds is taken from a colony, ringed, and returned, unharmed, to the colony. After a suitable period of time has elapsed, a second random sample of 400 seabirds is taken, and 20 of this second sample are found to be ringed. You may assume that the probability that a seabird is captured is independent of whether or not it has been ringed and that the colony remains unchanged at the time of the second sampling.
  1. Estimate the number of seabirds in the colony. [1]
  2. Find a 98% confidence interval for the proportion of seabirds in the colony which are ringed. [5]
  3. Deduce a 98% confidence interval for the number of seabirds in the colony. [2]

A random sample of 400 seabirds is taken from a colony, ringed, and returned, unharmed, to the colony. After a suitable period of time has elapsed, a second random sample of 400 seabirds is taken, and 20 of this second sample are found to be ringed. You may assume that the probability that a seabird is captured is independent of whether or not it has been ringed and that the colony remains unchanged at the time of the second sampling.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Estimate the number of seabirds in the colony. [1]

\item Find a 98% confidence interval for the proportion of seabirds in the colony which are ringed. [5]

\item Deduce a 98% confidence interval for the number of seabirds in the colony. [2]
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2014 Q3 [8]}}