Final Answer:
Either n>30 or the variable X is known to be normally distributed because either having a sample size (n) greater than 30 or knowing that the variable X is normally distributed ensures the conditions for constructing a valid confidence interval for the population proportion P. These conditions are based on the Central Limit Theorem, allowing for the approximation of the sampling distribution of the sample proportion
to be normal.Thus,the correct option is b. Either n > 30 or the variable X is known to be normally distributed.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to construct a valid confidence interval for the population proportion P, it is essential to consider the conditions for the sampling distribution of the sample proportion, denoted as
. The key conditions involve the sample size (n) and the distribution of the variable X. According to the Central Limit Theorem (CLT), if the sample size is sufficiently large (typically n > 30), the sampling distribution of
tends to be approximately normal, irrespective of the underlying distribution of the population. Alternatively, even for smaller sample sizes, a normal distribution assumption can be made if the variable X is known to be normally distributed.
When the conditions specified in option b are met, it ensures that the sampling distribution of
is approximately normal. This is crucial for constructing a confidence interval for the population proportion P. The conditions
(option a) are related to the variance of the binomial distribution and are more relevant when dealing directly with binomial proportions. However, for constructing confidence intervals, the focus is on the normality of the sampling distribution, making option b the appropriate choice.
To illustrate, let's consider a scenario where n is less than 30, but the variable X follows a normal distribution. In such cases, the normality assumption holds, allowing for the construction of a valid confidence interval for the population proportion P, despite the smaller sample size. Therefore, option b provides a flexible criterion for constructing confidence intervals, accommodating both large sample sizes and situations where the variable X is known to be normally distributed.
Thus,the correct option is b.