CAIE S2 2019 March — Question 1 4 marks

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleS2 (Statistics 2)
Year2019
SessionMarch
Marks4
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicCentral limit theorem
TypeJustifying CLT for confidence intervals
DifficultyModerate -0.8 Part (i) is a routine confidence interval calculation with given σ and large n, requiring only formula substitution. Part (ii) tests basic understanding that CLT applies due to large sample size (n=200), but this is straightforward recall of when CLT is needed rather than any conceptual challenge.
Spec5.05d Confidence intervals: using normal distribution

1 The masses of a certain variety of plums are known to have standard deviation 13.2 g . A random sample of 200 of these plums is taken and the mean mass of the plums in the sample is found to be 62.3 g .
  1. Calculate a \(98 \%\) confidence interval for the population mean mass.
  2. State with a reason whether it was necessary to use the Central Limit theorem in the calculation in part (i).

Question 1(i):
AnswerMarks Guidance
\(z = 2.326\)B1
\(62.3 \pm z \dfrac{13.2}{\sqrt{200}}\)M1 Any \(z\). Expression of correct form. Must be a '\(z\)'
\(60.1\) to \(64.5\) (3 sfs)A1 Must be an interval
Total: 3 marks
Question 1(ii):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Yes, because pop not (given to be) normal, or pop distribution unknownB1 No contradictions
Total: 1 mark
**Question 1(i):**

$z = 2.326$ | B1 |

$62.3 \pm z \dfrac{13.2}{\sqrt{200}}$ | M1 | Any $z$. Expression of correct form. Must be a '$z$'

$60.1$ to $64.5$ (3 sfs) | A1 | Must be an interval

**Total: 3 marks**

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**Question 1(ii):**

Yes, because pop not (given to be) normal, or pop distribution unknown | B1 | No contradictions

**Total: 1 mark**

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1 The masses of a certain variety of plums are known to have standard deviation 13.2 g . A random sample of 200 of these plums is taken and the mean mass of the plums in the sample is found to be 62.3 g .\\
(i) Calculate a $98 \%$ confidence interval for the population mean mass.\\

(ii) State with a reason whether it was necessary to use the Central Limit theorem in the calculation in part (i).\\

\hfill \mbox{\textit{CAIE S2 2019 Q1 [4]}}