How Long Are The Quahogs?

For our Chapter 8 project, Ashlyn and I were assigned data values for the lengths (in mm)
of Littleneck Clams, also known as Quahogs. For the project’s purpose, we were to assume that
the data sets are random samples and mound shaped symmetrical, making a normal distribution
appropriate. Some values that we found using our data set are the sample size, sample mean,
sample standard deviation, and degrees of freedom. We found these by plugging our data values
into the L1 list and running 1-Variable Statistics on our calculator. With our calculator, we found
that the sample size, n, was 35. We also found that the sample mean (n) was 438.4 mm and the
sample standard deviation (S) was 96.38 mm. The equation for degrees of freedom is n-1, so we
took our sample size n and subtracted 1 to find that the degrees of freedom (d.f) is 34.
After finding our variables, we were able to work on calculating our critical values for
confidence levels 90%, 95%, and 99%. To do this, we used the Student’s t Distribution chart
with our confidence levels and degrees of freedom to find 𝑡𝑡 (the critical value). To use the t
table, we had to match our d.f. value (34) with our desired critical value. However, a d.f. of 34
was not listed on the table, so we were required to use the closest d.f. that was smaller, which
ended up being 30. We were able to calculate that our critical value with a 90% confidence level
was 1.697, with a 95% confidence level our critical value was 2.042, and with a 99% confidence
level it was 2.75.
Another set of data values that we were told to find was the maximal margin of error for
90%, 95%, and 99% confidence levels. The maximal margin of error is important because it
gives your confidence intervals a little bit of cushion and allows you to be more accurate in your
𝑡
intervals. The equation for finding the maximal margin of error looks like this: 𝑡 = 𝑡𝑡 ( ).
√𝑡
We know that we can use this equation because we have all of the values needed to compute it.
We found the critical values (𝑡𝑡 ) using the Student’s t Distribution chart, the value for sample
standard deviation using the calculator, and the value for n is just our sample size. For a 90%
96.38
confidence level, we calculated the maximal margin of error like this: 𝑡 = 1.697( )=
√35
27.65 𝑡𝑡. This means that we can have a cushion of 27.65 mm above and below the sample
mean for the 90% confidence interval. For the 95% confidence level, we calculated the maximal
96.38
margin of error like this: 𝑡 = 2.042( ) = 33.27 𝑡𝑡. This means that the 95% confidence
√35
interval will have a 33.27 mm cushion above and below the sample mean. Finally, for the 99%
96.38
confidence interval, we calculated the maximal margin of error like this: 𝑡 = 2.75( )=
√35
44.80 𝑡𝑡. This means that the 99% confidence interval will have a 44.80 mm cushion above and
below the sample mean.
With our gathered information, we were then able to find our confidence intervals. A
confidence interval is an interval computed from a sample data in such a way that c is the
probability of generating an interval containing the actual value of 𝜇. In other words, we are
finding intervals to accurately estimate the value of 𝜇.To find this we use the formula 𝑡 − 𝑡 <
𝑡 < 𝑡 + 𝑡. First, using the 90% confidence level and the formula (438.4 - 27.65 < 𝜇 < 438.4
+27.65 ), we concluded that the average length of a Littleneck Clam in Garrison Bay with a 90%
confidence level lies between 410.75 mm and 466.05 mm. Next, using the 95% confidence level
and the formula ( 438.4 - 33.27 < 𝜇 < 438.4 + 33.27), we concluded that the average length of a
Littleneck Clam in Garrison Bay with a 95% confidence level lies between 405.13 mm and
471.67 mm. Finally, using the 99% confidence level and the formula (438.4 - 44.8 < 𝜇 < 438.4
+ 44.8), we concluded that the average length of a Littleneck Clam in Garrison Bay with a 99%
confidence level lies between 393.6 mm and 483.2 mm.
Had we been given the population standard deviation 𝜎, we would have approached the
scenario differently. First of all, we would’ve used 𝑡𝑡 rather than 𝑡𝑡 . The equation for the
maximal margin of error also would’ve changed to look like this: 𝑡 = 𝑡𝑡 (𝑡/√𝑡). The
equation for the confidence interval would actually stay the same and look like this: 𝑡 − 𝑡 <
𝑡 < 𝑡 + 𝑡. Basically, we would’ve used sigma rather than sample standard deviation and
𝑡𝑡 rather than 𝑡𝑡 .