Inference for a Mean: Comparing a Mean to a Known Value

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Choose which calculation you desire, enter the relevant values for mu0 (known value), mu1 (mean of the population to be sampled), and sigma (standard deviation of the sampled population) and, if calculating power, a sample size. You may also modify alpha and the power, if relevant. After making your entries, hit the calculate button at the bottom.

  • Calculate Sample Size (for specified Power)
  • Calculate Power (for specified Sample Size)
    • Enter a value for mu0:
    Enter a value for mu1:
    Enter a value for sigma:
  • 1 Sided Test
  • 2 Sided Test
    • Enter a value for alpha (default is .05):
    Enter a value for desired power (default is .80):
    The sample size is:

    Reference: The calculations are the customary ones. See for example, Rosner, B., Fundamentals of Biostatistics (4th ed.), Section 7.7.2

    Acknowledgments: The JavaScript underlying this page uses normal quantile and probability functions taken from Jan deLeeuw's Web-Based Statistics: The Study of Stability in Variation.


    Rollin Brant
    Email me at: rollin@health.ucalgary.ca