Education Technology

Central Limit Theorem

Subject Area
Math: Statistics: Sampling Distributions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
Software
TI-Nspire™ CX
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire Version
5.0
Resource Types
Lessons
Format
TNS

Central Limit Theorem

Activity Overview

This lesson involves examining distributions of sample means of random samples of size n from four different populations.

Objectives

  • Students will recognize that when n is sufficiently large, the sampling distribution of sample means, x̄, is approximately normal, regardless of the shape of the population distribution (Central Limit Theorem).
  • Students will recognize that when the population distribution is normal, the sampling distribution of sample means, x̄, is normal for any sample size n.
  • Students will recognize the consequences of the Central Limit Theorem when applied to quantitative data: a normal model with μ = μ (the true population mean) and that decreases as sample size, n, increases.
  • Students will recognize the consequences of the Central Limit Theorem when applied to proportions: a normal model with μ = P (the true population proportion) and σ that decreases as sample size, n, increases.

About the Lesson

This lesson involves examining distributions of sample means of random samples of size n from four different populations.
As a result, students will:

  • Observe a uniform distribution and click to see simulated sampling distributions of size n=1 to 30 with a normal curve imposed on the distribution in each case.
  • Consider the same questions with respect to a normal distribution, a skewed distribution and a proportion.
  • Observe that as the sample size gets larger, the better the simulated sampling distribution can be approximated by a normal model.

Subject Area
Math: Statistics: Sampling Distributions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
Software
TI-Nspire™ CX
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire Version
5.0
Resource Types
Lessons
Format
TNS
iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Vernier EasyData,Vernier EasyLink and Vernier EasyTemp are registered trademarks of Vernier Science Education.