Question 1083275:  A donut baker wants to ensure that the radius of its donuts is within +- 0.25cm. Based on past statistical studies, she knows that the donut’s radius has a standard deviation of 1.25cm. How many measurements should she take to ensure a 90 percent confidence in the radius of the donuts are within 0.25cm, rather than measure each and every donut that is baked? 
 Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! Use a stats table to find that the critical value is roughly z = 1.645 
To find this value, locate "90%" at the bottom (in the Confidence Level section) and the value just above this entry is 1.645
 
 
The population standard deviation sigma is given to be sigma = 1.25
 
 
The margin of error desired is 0.25, so E = 0.25
 
 
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We will plug z = 1.645, sigma = 1.25 and E = 0.25 into the formula below to find n.
 
 
n = ( (z*sigma)/E )^2
 
 
n = ( (1.645*1.25)/0.25 )^2
 
 
n = ( 2.05625/0.25 )^2
 
 
n = ( 8.225 )^2
 
 
n = 67.650625
 
 
n = 68 ... round up to the nearest whole number
 
 
Min Sample Size: n = 68
 
 
So this means that she can use a sample size of 68 or larger.
 
 
She should take at least 68 measurements to ensure that the radius of the donuts is within +- 0.25cm. 
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