Activity

1. Ages of U.S. Senators. The mean age of Senators in the 109th Congress was 60.35 years. A
random sample of 40 senators from various state senates had an average age of 55.4 years,
and the population standard deviation is 6.5 years. At 𝛼 = 0.05, is there sufficient evidence
that state senators are on average younger than the Senators in Washington?
2. Teaching Assistants’ Stipends. A random sample of stipends of teaching assistants in
economics is listed. Is there sufficient evidence at the 𝛼 = 0.05 level to conclude that the
average stipend differs from $15,000? The stipends listed (in dollars) are for the academic
year.
14,000 18,000 12,000 14,356 13,185
13,419 14,000 11,981 17,604 12,283
16,338 15,000

3. Carbohydrates in Fast Foods. The number of carbohydrates found in a random sample of fast-
food entrees is listed below. Is there sufficient evidence to conclude that the variance differs
from 100? Use the 0.05 level of significance.
53 46 39 39 30
47 38 73 43 41

4. Women Science Majors In a study of women science majors, the following data were obtained
on two groups, those who left their profession within a few months after graduation (leavers)
and those who remained in their profession after they graduated (stayers). Test the claim that
those who stayed had a higher science grade point average than those who left. Use 𝛼 = 0.05.

Leavers Stayers
𝑋̅1 = 3.16 𝑋̅2 = 3.28
𝜎1 = 0.52 𝜎2 = 0.46
𝑛1 = 103 𝑛2 = 225

5. Cyber School Enrollment The data show the number of students attending cyber charter
schools in Allegheny County and the number of students attending cyber schools in counties
surrounding Allegheny County. At a = 0.01 is there enough evidence to support the claim that
the average number of students in school districts in Allegheny County who attend cyber
schools is greater than those who attend cyber schools in school districts outside Allegheny
County? Give a factor that should be considered in interpreting this answer.
Allegheny County Outside Allegheny County
25 75 38 41 27 32 57 25 38 14 10 29
1.
𝐻0 : 𝜇 = 60.35
𝐻1 : 𝜇 < 60.35 (𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑚)
Level of significance: 𝛼 = 0.05
Type of test: one-tailed (left)
Statistical tool: z-test for a mean
Critical Value: -1.65
Test Value: -4.82
Decision: Since the test value, -4.81, is less than the critical value, -1.65, and is in the critical
region, the decision is to reject the null hypothesis.
Summary: There is enough evidence to support the claim that state senators are on average
younger than the Senators in Washington.

2.
𝐻0 : 𝜇 = 15,000
𝐻1 : 𝜇 ≠ 15,000 (𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑚)
Level of significance: 𝛼 = 0.05
Type of test: two-tailed
Statistical tool: t-test for a mean
Critical Value: +2.201
Test Value: -1.10
Decision: Since the test value, -1.10, is greater than the critical value, -2.201, and is not in the
critical region, the decision is to accept (not reject) the null hypothesis.
Summary: There is not enough evidence to support the claim that the average stipend differs from
$15,000.

3.
𝐻0 : 𝜎 2 = 100
𝐻1 : 𝜎 2 ≠ 100 (𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑚)
Level of significance: 𝛼 = 0.05
Type of test: two-tailed
Statistical tool: chi-square test for single variance
Critical Value: 16.919
Test Value: 10.236
Decision: Since the test value, 10.236, is less than the critical value, 16.919, and is not in the critical
region, the decision is to accept (not reject) the null hypothesis.
Summary: There is not enough evidence to support the claim that the variance differs from 100.

4.
𝐻0 : 𝜇1 = 𝜇2
𝐻1 : 𝜇1 < 𝜇2 (𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑚)
Level of significance: 𝛼 = 0.05
Type of test: one-tailed
Statistical tool: z-test for two sample means
Critical Value: -1.65
Test Value: -2.01
Decision: Since the test value, -2.01, is less than the critical value, -1.65, and is in the critical
region, the decision is to reject the null hypothesis.
Summary: There is enough evidence to support the claim that those who stayed had a higher
science grade point average than those who left.

5.
𝐻0 : 𝜇1 = 𝜇2
𝐻1 : 𝜇1 < 𝜇2 (𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑚)
Level of significance: 𝛼 = 0.01
Type of test: one-tailed (left)
Statistical tool: t-test for two sample means
Critical Value: -3.365
Test Value: 0.01
Decision: Since the test value, 0.01, is greater than the critical value, -3.365, and is in not the
critical region, the decision is to accept (not reject) the null hypothesis.
Summary: There is no sufficient evidence to conclude the average number of students in school
districts in Allegheny County who attend cyber schools is greater than those who attend cyber
schools in school districts outside Allegheny County.