Stat 202: Hypothesis Testing Practice Problems

1. Consider testing H0: µ ≥ 80 vs. H1: µ < 80 where µ is the

mean of a normally distributed population having standard
deviation σ = 15. The hypothesis will be tested at the α =
0.01 level of significance, using a sample of size n = 20.

If in fact µ is equal to 72, what is the probability that the

test will correctly reject the null hypothesis? In other
words, find the power of the test at µ = 72.

2. (Based on text problem 11.37) A study has been conducted

to examine the effectiveness of a new experimental
program for preparing high school students for the SAT.
Eighty students have been randomly divided into two
groups of forty. One group receives the experimental
program, and when they take the SAT the sample average
score is equal to X = 1041.10 and the standard deviation of
scores is 130.30. The second group receives a traditional
program. They end up with an average score of X =
1012.48 with a standard deviation of 79.51. Does this
result provide evidence that the new program is more
effective than the traditional program? Test at the α = 0.05
level of significance.
3. (Based on text problem 11.69) A compressor manufacturer
is testing two different designs for an air tank. Testing
involves observing how much pressure a tank can
withstand before it bursts. For a sample of four tanks of
Design A, the average pressure to failure is 1400 psi with a
standard deviation of 250 psi. For a sample of six tanks of
Design B, the average pressure to failure is 1620 psi with a
standard deviation of 230 psi.

Test for a difference in mean pressure to failure for the two

designs, at the α = 0.10 level of significance. Assume that
the two populations of interest are normally distributed and
have the same variance.

4. (Based on text problem 11.80) In an experiment comparing

a new long-distance golf ball with the conventional design,
each of 20 golfers hits one drive with each ball. For each
golfer we calculate d = x1 – x2, where x1 is the distance the
new ball is hit and x2 is the distance the old ball is hit. The
average difference is calculated to equal 9.3, the standard
deviation of differences is 10.5.

Assuming that differences are normally distributed, test to

see if the new ball goes further. Use α = 0.01.
5. (Based on text problem 11.86) A maintenance engineer has
been approached by a supplier who promises less downtime
for machines using its new super lubricant.

The engineer is skeptical of the supplier’s claim, but agrees

to test it. Two samples of machines will be tested for a
month (with and without the new lubricant) and for each
sample we will observe the proportion of machines that are
out of service for more than one hour.

(a) State an appropriate null and alternative hypothesis.

120 machines are randomly selected for the first sample

and are maintained with the new lubricant. 20% are out of
service for more than an hour during the month of the test.
For the second control group sample of 100 machines, the
previous lubricant is used and 30% are out of service for
more than one hour.

(b) Perform the test set up in Part (a) at the α = 0.05 level
of significance.