Class Exercises on Hypothesis Testing

Hypothesis Testing I (Single-Sample Tests)

(Holmes et al. (2018) p 409) 67. The mean work week for engineers in a start-up company is believed to
be about 60 hours. A newly hired engineer hopes that it is shorter. She asks ten engineering friends in
start-ups for the lengths of their work weeks. Based on the results that follow, should she count on the
mean work week to be shorter than 60 hours? Use  = 0.05. Hint: Use the steps on Slide 16.

Data (length of work week): 70; 45; 55; 60; 65; 55; 55; 60; 50; 55.

• Determine H0 and Ha.

H 0 :  60

a :  60

• Determine the random variable.

Xbar = Sample mean length of work week

• Determine the distribution for the test.

Student t distribution

• Draw a graph and calculate the test statistic.

57−60
t-statistic = 7.149 = -1.33
√10
• Compare the calculated test statistic with the critical value determined by the level of significance
required by the test and make a decision (cannot reject H0 or reject H0) and write a clear conclusion
using English sentences.

The critical value of t(9, 0.05) = -1.83

Since the test statistic is not in the rejection region, we do not reject the null hypothesis. At the 0.05
significance level, there is insufficient evidence that the mean length work week is smaller than 60
hours.

(Holmes et al. (2018) p. 410) 77. A recent survey in the N.Y. Times Almanac indicated that 48.8% of
families own stock. A broker wanted to determine if this survey could be valid. He surveyed a random
sample of 250 families and found that 142 owned some type of stock. At the 0.05 significance level, can
the survey be considered to be accurate? Hint: Use the steps on Slide 16.

p-value = 0.0114
 Alpha = 0.05

Reject the null hypothesis.

At the 5% level of significance, there is enough evidence to conclude that 48.8% of families own
stocks.

The survey does not appear to be accurate.

• Determine H0 and Ha.

H0: p = 0.488 Ha: p ≠ 0.488

• Determine the random variable.

• Determine the distribution for the test.

• Draw a graph and calculate the test statistic.

P = 142/250 = 0.568

p− p0 0.568−0.488
Z c=

√ p 0 q0 =
n √ 0.488 x (1−0.488)
250

• Compare the calculated test statistic with the critical value determined by the level of significance
required by the test and make a decision (cannot reject H0 or reject H0) and write a clear conclusion
using English sentences.

Since it is in the rejection region, we reject the null hypothesis. We can conclude that at the 0.05
significance level, there is evidence that the proportion of families who own stock is not equal to
0.488.

Hypothesis Testing II (Two-Sample Tests)

Holmes et al. (2018) (p. 447) 64. The mean number of English courses taken in a two-year time period
by male and female college students is believed to be about the same. An experiment is conducted and
data are collected from 29 males and 16 females. The males took an average of three English courses
with a standard deviation of 0.8. The females took an average of four English courses with a standard
deviation of 1.0. Are the means statistically the same?

Number of males , n(M)=29n(M)=29.

Number of females, n(F)=16n(F)=16.

Mean course of English took by males, ¯xM=3x¯M=3.

Mean course of English took by females, ¯xF=4x¯F=4.

Standard deviation for course of English took by females, SF=1SF=1

Holmes et al. (2018) (p. 432) “Try It” 10.6 Two types of valves are being tested to determine if there is a
difference in pressure tolerances. Fifteen out of a random sample of 100 of Valve A cracked under 4,500
psi. Six out of a random sample of 100 of Valve B cracked under 4,500 psi. Test at a 5% level of
significance.

H 0 : p A−¿ p =0¿
B

H a : p A−¿ p B 0¿

Test statistic:

15+6
pc = =0.105
100+100

(0.15−0.06)

√
Z c =¿ ¿ ¿ = 1 1 = 2.076
( 0.105 )( 1−0.105 ) ( + )
100 100

The critical value of Z is Z 0.0025 = 1.96

Since the test statistic falls in the rejection region, we reject the bull hypothesis. At the 0.05 significance
level, there is sufficient evidence that there is on average a difference in pressure tolerances.

Holmes et al. (2018) (p. 434) “Try It” 10.7 The means of the number of revolutions per minute of two
competing engines are to be compared. Thirty engines from each engine type are randomly assigned to

be tested. Both populations have normal distributions. The following table shows the result. Do the data
indicate that Engine 2 has higher RPM than Engine 1? Test at a 5% level of significance.

H 0 :❑1−¿❑ 0 ¿ 2
H a :❑1−¿❑ 0 ¿
2

Test statistic:

( X 1− X 2 )−δ 0 (1500−1600)
ZC = = =−7.0129

√ √
2 2 2 2
(σ 1) (σ 2 ) (50) (60)
+ +
n1 n2 30 30

The critical value of Z is Z 0.05 = -1.95

Since Z is in the rejection region, we reject the null hypothesis. At the 0.05 significance level, there is
evidence that on average Engine 2 has a higher RPM than Engine 1.

Holmes et al. (2018) (p. 446) A doctor wants to know if a blood pressure medication is effective. Six
subjects have their blood pressures recorded. After twelve weeks on the medication, the same six
subjects have their blood pressure recorded again. For this test, only systolic pressure is of concern. Test
at the 1% significance level.

60. State the null and alternative hypotheses.

H0: μ ≤ 0

Ha: μ>0

61. What is the test statistic?

1.7541

63. What is the conclusion?

The critical value of t is:

df = 6 – 1 = 5

t(5, 0.01) = 3.365

Since the test statistic 1.75 < 3.365, it is not in the rejection region. We do not reject the null hypothesis.
At the 0.01 significance level, there is no evidence that the blood pressure medication is effective.