Hypothesis Tests on the Mean Practice Questions:

Reminders:
Use class format.
Double check null hypothesis has equals sign “≤”, “≥ “ or “≠”
Use Estimator Summary Sheet to get information like test name, conditions, formulas etc
Double check Minitab settings for hypotheses

And finally
• If p-value < significance we conclude we can reject the null hypothesis.
o We interpret this as “evidence for the alternative hypothesis”
 Optional boiler plate “With significance of %%% we have significant evidence that
“alternative hypothesis in words””
• If p-value ≥ significance we conclude we can not reject the null hypothesis.
o We interpret this as “no significant evidence for the alternative hypothesis”
 Optional boiler plate “With significance of %%% we have no significant evidence that
“alternative hypothesis in words””

Jaggia/Kelly Chapter 9 Practice Questions.

Mechanics Questions
Question 37. Assume all conditions for inference hold when you answer this question
Question 40. Additional information: the tiny sample of data was randomly chosen from a relevant
population.
Applications Questions
Question 42. Which assumption is necessary to do inference in this question?
Question 46. If the description is inadequate state your assumptions, go ahead with inference and warn.
Question 47: If the description is inadequate state your assumptions, go ahead with inference and warn.
Question 50: Use dataset attached to question. Answer this question.
The dataset attached to this question comes from the Chapter 8 example, a random and representative sample of ultra fuel efficient
cars. A journalist wants to know whether there is evidence that ultra fuel efficient cars fuel efficiency differs from 95 mpg. If there is
evidence that ultra fuel efficient cars average fuel efficiency differs from 95 mpg he will write an article on uncertain mpg in ultra fuel
efficient cars.
a) What are the hypotheses that test whether average mpg of ultra fuel efficient cars differs from 95 mpg.
b) Check the conditions required to do the hypothesis test that answers a). What assumption must you make to do inference?
c) Assume that all conditions for inference hold. Would you advice the journalist to write the article? Use a significance level
of 5% in your analysis.
Question 37 You may presume that all conditions for inference hold when you answer this question
Question 37 a

Steps from the format Student Answer

Step 1: State hypotheses, 1. Hypotheses

test type and hypothesized value H0: μ ≤ 4.5, HA :μ >4.5
One tail right tail test, hypothesized mean 4.5

Number in null is hypothesized value

Step 2: State significance 2. Significance 5% Test type from “>” in alternative

Step 3: Appropriately compute p-value 3. Compute p-value

Name test Hypothesis test on μ, σ unknown (one sample t-test on the population mean),
(get name from estimator summary
sheet)
Check specific conditions against Question states all conditions for inference hold
question text
Explain how you computed the p-value. Used Minitab’s one sample t-tool, right tailed test, hypothesized mean 4.5
Report key results: test statistic, d.f., p- test statistic 1.84, p-value 0.039.
value 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑛𝑛 − 1 = 24 − 1 = 23

Chapter 9 test: explain how to compute Test statistic is computed from

the test statistic.
Get formula from summary sheet 𝑥𝑥̅ − 𝜇𝜇0 4.8 − 4.5
test statistic t = 𝑠𝑠 = = 1.84
Notice how answer is formula → � 𝑛𝑛 0.8�
√ √24
numbers in the formula → answer

Chapter 9 test: draw p-value picture
Right tailed test: mark test statistic on
horizontal axis, shade right tail whose
area corresponds to the p-value.
p-value for right tailed test = P(T≥ sample test statistic)
Right tailed test p-value 𝑃𝑃(𝑇𝑇23 ≥ 1.84) = 0.039 (Minitab)
tdf with23 df

Don’t forget to label the p-value area.

Right tailed test p-value
P(T ≥ 1.84)

-2.97 0.03

0 1.84 tdfz
23

Step 4: Conclusion and Interpretation 4. Conclusion and Interpretation

Come to a conclusion Conclusion: Since the p-value 0.039 < 𝛼𝛼 = 0.05 we reject the null hypothesis

Interpret your results Interpretation: With significance of 5%, there is evidence that the population
We reject null→ evidence for alternative mean is more than 4.5
HA :μ >4.5. We write alternative in
words. “mean is more than 4.5”.
Question 37 b)

Steps from the format Student Answer

Step 1: State hypotheses, 1. Hypotheses

test type and hypothesized value H0: μ = 4.5, HA :μ ≠ 4.5
Two tail test, hypothesized mean 4.5

Step 2: State significance 2. Significance 5%

Step 3: Appropriately compute p-value 3. Compute p-value

Name test Hypothesis test on μ, σ unknown (one sample t-test on the population
(get name from estimator summary sheet) mean)

Check specific conditions against question
text
Explain how you computed the p-value.
Report key results: test statistic, d.f., p-value
Question states all conditions for inference hold
Used Minitab’s one sample t-tool, two tailed test, hypothesized mean 4.5
test statistic 1.84, p-value 0.079,
d.f. = n-1 = 24-1 =23

Chapter 9 test: explain how to compute the Test statistic is computed from
test statistic.
Notice how answer is formula → numbers in 𝑥𝑥̅ − 𝜇𝜇0 4.8 − 4.5
test statistic t = 𝑠𝑠 = = 1.84
the formula → answer � 𝑛𝑛 0.8�
√ √24
Notice that the test statistic for 37 b)
is the same as 37 a) because our
hypothesized population mean has
not altered.

Chapter 9 test: draw p-value picture This is a 2-tail test

This is two tailed test with positive test
statistic. We mark the position of the test
statistic on the horizontal axis. When we
shade the “small” tail it is the RHS of the
distribution. Don’t forget the label!
Positive test statistic, so double upper tail probability
2-tail test p-value = 2𝑃𝑃(𝑇𝑇23 ≥ 1.84) from t-distribution with 23 d.f.=
0.079 (Minitab)
tdf with23 df

Notice that the p-value method of

computation has changed because this
is a two tailed test
Half
P(T ≥ p-value
1.84) for two tailed test.
We still assume the null hypothesis is
true, but we double the “small tail” to
get the p-value
-2.97 0.03

0 1.84 tdfz
23
Step 4: Conclusion and Interpretation 4. Conclusion and Interpretation

Come to a conclusion Conclusion: Since the p-value 0.079 > 𝛼𝛼 = 0.05, we do not reject 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛

Interpret your results Interpretation With significance of 5% there is no evidence that the mean differs
We can not reject null→ no evidence for from 4.5
alternative
HA :μ ≠ 4.5. We write alternative in
words “mean differs from 4.5”
Question 40)
Additional information: the tiny sample of data was randomly chosen from a relevant population.
Reminder question 40 states that “the population is normally distributed”.

Steps from the format Student Answer

Step 1: State hypotheses, 1. Hypotheses

test type and hypothesized value H0 : μ ≥ 100, HA : μ <100
One tailed left tail test, hypothesized mean 100

Step 2: State significance 2. Significance 5%

Step 3: Appropriately compute p-value 3. Compute p-value

Name test
(get name off estimator summary sheet)
Check specific conditions against
question text
Notice that we follow a two step
procedure to check the normality
condition.
Hypothesis test on μ, σ unknown (one sample t-test on the population mean),
Conditions check
Normality condition: n ≥ 30 or population normal
• n = 6, 6< 30 so sample is small. Check if population is normal
• Population normal: question states “population is normally
distributed” so OK

1. We discover that the sample of
data is smaller than the 30 cutoff
n = 6, 6<30
2. We check whether we have
information about the
distribution that the population
follows. Is it normal?
3. It is normal so normality condition
holds
Independent observations. Additional information states that “sample of data
was randomly chosen” so OK
Representative sample
• Relevant population. Additional information “relevant population” so
OK
• Random sample : Additional information “randomly chosen” so OK
Population standard deviation is not known

Explain how you computed the p-value.
Report key results:
As you used a dataset results are sample
mean, sample standard deviation
We always report test statistic, p-value.
Compute d.f.
Typed dataset into an Excel Spreadsheet.
Used Minitab’s one sample t-tool to compute all numbers, left tailed test,
hypothesized mean 100
test statistic is -2.38, p-value is 0.0316; df=n-1=6-1=5
x ̅=92.33;s=7.89;

Chapter 9 test: explain how to compute Test statistic is computed from

the test statistic.
Get formula from summary sheet 𝑥𝑥̅ − 𝜇𝜇0
test statistic t = 𝑠𝑠
� 𝑛𝑛
√
92.33 − 100
Put numbers into formula test statistic =
7.89�
√6
Read final test statistic # from output. test statistic = −2.38.
Chapter 9 test: draw p-value picture Left tail test, p-value = P(T ≤ test statistic) from t distribution with 5 d.f.
This is left tailed test so we mark the test Left tail test p-value P(T≤ -2.38) = 0.0316 (Minitab)
statistic on the horizontal axis then shade
the left tail whose area corresponds to
the p-value
left tailed p-value

p-value= 0.0316,

Step 4: Conclusion and Interpretation 4. Conclusion and interpretation

Come to a conclusion Conclusion: As p-value, 0.0316 < significance 0.05, reject the null

Interpret your results Interpretation: With significance of 5%, there is evidence that the population
We can reject null→ evidence for mean is less than 100.
alternative hypothesis in words

H0 : μ ≥ 100, HA : μ < 100

Alternative hypothesis in words is that

population mean is less than 100
Question 40
Bonus question, two tailed test, hypothesized mean 100
Steps from the format
Step 1: State hypotheses,
test type and hypothesized value
Step 2: State significance
Step 3: Appropriately compute p-value
Name test
(get name off estimator summary sheet)
Check specific conditions against
question text
Explain how you computed the p-value.
Report key results
Chapter 9 test:
explain how to compute the test statistic.
Get formula from summary sheet
Student Answer
Hypotheses
H0 : μ =100, HA : μ ≠ 100
Two tailed test, hypothesized mean 100
Significance 5%
Compute p-value
Hypothesis test on μ, σ unknown (one sample t-test on the population mean),
Normality condition: n ≥ 30 or population normal
• n = 6, 6< 30 so sample is small. Check if population is normal
• Population normal: question states “population is normally
distributed” so OK
Independent observations. Additional information states that “sample of data
was randomly chosen” so OK
Representative sample
• Relevant population. Additional information “relevant population” so
OK
• Random sample : Additional information “randomly chosen” so OK
Population standard deviation is not known
Typed dataset into an Excel Spreadsheet.
Used Minitab’s one sample t-tool to compute all numbers, two tailed test,
hypothesized mean 100:
test statistic is -2.38, p-value is 0.0316; df=n-1=6-1=5
x ̅=92.33;s=7.89;
Test statistic is computed from
𝑥𝑥̅ − 𝜇𝜇0 92.33 − 100
test statistic t = 𝑠𝑠 = = −2.38
� 𝑛𝑛 7.89�
√ √6
Chapter 9 test: draw p-value picture Two tailed test, negative test statistic, p-value is double lower tail probability
from t-distribution with 5 d.f. = 2 P(T≤ -2.38)= 0.0632 (Minitab)

p-value = 0.0632

Step 4: Conclusion and Interpretation Conclusion and interpretation

Come to a conclusion As p-value, 0.0632 > significance 0.05 , cannot reject the null

Interpret your results With significance of 5% there is no evidence that the population mean differs
We can not reject null→ no evidence for from 100.
alternative hypothesis (in words)
hypothesis
H0 : μ =100, HA : μ ≠ 100
Alternative hypothesis in words is that
population mean differs from 100

Take home message from flipped results in question 40:

• decide hypotheses before you calculate p-values
• always report p-values
Question 42 (Fourth Edition)
We’re going to answer this in the class format, rather than a), b) and c). If you do not have enough information to assess a condition
state which condition needs an assumption, then do inference.

Thought process for hypothesis, not expected in student answers:

• “average weight time more than 5 minutes”
• average → indicates parameter is mean
Two completely contradictory statements:
1. average weight time more than 5 minutes: μ >5
2. average weight time less than or equal to 5 minutes: μ ≤ 5
Find statement with “equals” – Statement 2, this is null, H0
𝐻𝐻0 : 𝜇𝜇 ≤ 5; 𝐻𝐻𝐴𝐴 : 𝜇𝜇 > 5

Steps from the format Student Answer

Step 1: State hypotheses, 1. Hypotheses

test type and hypothesized value 𝐻𝐻0 : 𝜇𝜇 ≤ 5; 𝐻𝐻𝐴𝐴 : 𝜇𝜇 > 5
One tailed right tail test, hypothesized mean 𝜇𝜇0 = 5

Step 2: State significance 2. Significance 10%

Step 3: Appropriately compute p-value 3. Compute p-value

Name test
(get name off estimator summary sheet)
Check specific conditions against
question text
Notice that we state what the
condition is, and then compare it to
question text/ sample size.
Some questions will have conditions
that are all fine and will not require
assumptions.
This example does not .
And the textbook has included it to
remind us that if you do a test on a
small sample of data, n <30, you
need the population to follow a
normal distribution.
Hypothesis test on μ, σ unknown (one sample t-test on the population mean),
Conditions:
• Normality: sample size ≥ 30 or population follows a normal distribution.
• sample size is 20; 20<30
• As sample is small, 20, check population follows a normal distribution,
• No information on shape of population WARN
• Population standard deviation unknown? Yup.
• Independent observations: question states “randomly observed” => random
sample so independence OK
• Representative sample? OK
• random sample : OK. see previous
• relevant population: “customers during the day” so OK
=> representative sample OK
Assumption: assume population follows a normal distribution as sample has 20
observations.

Explain how you computed the p-value.
Report key results
As you used a dataset results are sample
mean, sample standard deviation
We always report test statistic, p-value.
Compute d.f.
Used Minitab one sample t tool to compute all numbers. Right tailed test
hypothesized mean 5
sample mean 56.5, sample standard deviation 2..2
test statistic 3.01, p-value 0.003
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = n − 1 = 19
Chapter 9 test: 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = 𝑡𝑡 =
𝑥𝑥̅ −𝜇𝜇0 6.5−5
= 2.2 = 3.05.
𝑠𝑠 �
explain how to compute the test statistic. �
√𝑛𝑛 √20
Get formula from summary sheet
Answer is formula → numbers in formula
→ answer

Chapter 9 test: draw p-value picture Right tail test, p-value = P(T ≥ sample test statistic)

p-value = P(T≥ 0.3.01) from a t-distribution with 19 d.f. is 0.003(Minitab)

Step 4: Conclusion and Interpretation 4. Conclusion and interpretation

Come to a conclusion As p-value 0.003 is less than significance 10%, can reject null.

Interpret your results There is Significant evidence from this sample that the average customer waits
We can reject null→ evidence for more than 5 minutes with significance of 10%. We suggest hiring an
alternative additional employee.
We warn that our results rely on the assumption that the population follows a
normal distribution.
Question 46:

Thought process for hypothesis, not expected in student answers:

“average increase in home prices in the West is greater than the increase in the Midwest”
mean → indicates parameter is mean
Midwest increase of 6.6% is a percentage change
Two completely contradictory statements:
“average increase in home prices in the West is greater than 6.6%” 𝜇𝜇 > 6.6%
“average increase in home prices in the West is less than or equal to the 6.6% 𝜇𝜇 ≤ 6.6%
Find statement with “equals” – Statement 2 so this is null, H0
𝐻𝐻0 : 𝜇𝜇 ≤ 6.6%; 𝐻𝐻𝐴𝐴 : 𝜇𝜇 > 6.6%
Rewrite with decimals or treat 6.6% as “6.6”? Doesn’t matter as long as you’re consistent.
Let’s use decimals:
𝐻𝐻0 : 𝜇𝜇 ≤ 0.066; 𝐻𝐻𝐴𝐴 : 𝜇𝜇 > 0.066

Steps from the format Student Answer

Step 1: State hypotheses, 1. Hypotheses

test type and hypothesized value Hypotheses 𝐻𝐻0:𝜇𝜇≤0.066; 𝐻𝐻𝐴𝐴:𝜇𝜇>0.066
One tailed, right tailed test, hypothesized mean 0.066

Step 2: State significance 2. Significance 5%

Step 3: Appropriately compute p-value 3. Compute p-value

Name test One sample t-test on the population mean.

(get name off estimator summary sheet)
Check specific conditions against
question text
Notice how different question text
leads to a different conditions
assessment
Conditions Check
• Normality condition: n≥ 30 or population normal.
o n = 36 which is greater than cut off of 30 so OK
• Population standard deviation unknown
• Representative sample:
o Random sample: no idea how collected WARN
o Relevant population: “36 recent home sales in the West” so OK
• Independent observations: no idea how sample collected, WARN
Assumptions required to do inference: representative sample and independent
observations

Explain how you computed the p-value. Used Minitab to do all computations using one sample t tool, right tailed test,
Report key results hypothesized mean 0.066
test statistic t= 2.7, p-value 0.005, 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑=36-1=35
This question’s text included sample
statistics, so all we report is test
statistic, p-value and the d.f.

Chapter 9 test: 𝑥𝑥̅ −𝜇𝜇0 0.075−0.066

test statistic t = 𝑠𝑠 = 0.002� = 2.7.
explain how to compute the test statistic. � 𝑛𝑛
√ √36
Get formula from summary sheet
Chapter 9 test: draw p-value picture Right tail test: p-value = P(T≥ sample test statistic)
right tail test p-value = P(T≥ 2.7) from a t distribution with 35 d.f. or 0.005
(from Minitab)

Step 4: Conclusion and Interpretation 4. Conclusion and interpretation

Come to a conclusion p-value 0.005 is less than significance, 0.05, reject the null.

Interpret your results At the 5% significance level, we conclude that there is evidence that the average
We can reject null→ evidence for increase in home prices in the West is greater than the average increase in the
alternative Midwest.

We warn that our results rely on the assumption of a representative sample

Question 47
We’re going to answer this in the class format, rather than a), b) and c). If the description is inadequate state your assumptions, go
ahead with inference and warn.

Thought process for hypothesis, not expected in student answers:

• “test if the new sports car its meeting its goal to from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds”
• Parameter?
• Time is quantitative → mean
o So statement is “ mean of car time is less than 6 seconds”
Two completely contradictory statements:
1. “ mean of car time is less than 6 seconds” 𝜇𝜇 < 6
2. “mean of car time is greater than or equal to 6 seconds” 𝜇𝜇 ≥ 6
Find statement with “equals” – Statement 2 so this is null, H0
𝐻𝐻0 : 𝜇𝜇 ≥ 6; 𝐻𝐻𝐴𝐴 : 𝜇𝜇 < 6

Steps from the format Student Answer

Step 1: State hypotheses, 1. Hypotheses

test type and hypothesized value Hypotheses: 𝐻𝐻0 : 𝜇𝜇 ≥ 6 ; 𝐻𝐻𝐴𝐴 : 𝜇𝜇 < 6
Left tail test, hypothesized mean 6 seconds

Step 2: State significance 2. Significance 5%

Step 3: Appropriately compute p-value 3. Compute p-value

Name test
(get name off estimator summary sheet)
Check specific conditions against
question text
Hypothesis test on a population mean, population standard deviation unknown.
Conditions:
• Normality: n≥ 30 or population normal.
n = 12; n < 30. Question states population normal so OK
• σ unknown. Yup
• Independent observations: no idea how sample was chosen – warn.
• Representative sample
o Relevant: “tested … 12 of the cars” so yes.
o Random: no information, warn
Assume that sample is representative , and that observations are independent.

Explain how you computed the p-value. Used Minitab’s one sample t-tool to do all computations:
Report key results test statistic t = -3.08, p-value 0.0052
df = n – 1 = 11

Chapter 9 test: 𝑥𝑥̅ − 𝜇𝜇0 5.92 − 6

test statistic t = 𝑠𝑠 = = −3.08
explain how to compute the test statistic. � 𝑛𝑛 0.09�
Get formula from summary sheet √ √12
Chapter 9 test: draw p-value picture
Step 4: Conclusion and Interpretation
Come to a conclusion
Interpret your results
We can reject null→ evidence for
alternative
Left tailed test p-value is P(T≤ sample test statistic)
p-value = 𝑃𝑃(T ≤ −3.08) with d.f. = 11
𝑃𝑃(T ≤ −3.08) = 0.0052 (Mionitab)
4. Conclusion and interpretation
As p-value 0.0052 < significance (5%) reject the null.
At the 5% level of significance, there is evidence from this sample that the
average clock time of all cars is less than 6 seconds. With significance of 5%
there is evidence from this sample that the new sports car is meeting its goal.
We warn that our results rely on the assumption of a representative sample of
data.
Question 50, revised question given below.
The dataset attached to this question comes from the Chapter 8 example, a random and representative sample of ultra fuel efficient
cars. A journalist wants to know whether there is evidence that ultra fuel efficient cars fuel efficiency differs from 95 mpg. If there is
evidence that ultra fuel efficient cars average fuel efficiency differs from 95 mpg he will write an article on uncertain mpg in ultra fuel
efficient cars.
a) What are the hypotheses that test whether average mpg of ultra fuel efficient cars differs from 95 mpg.
b) Check the conditions required to do the hypothesis test that answers a). What assumption must you make to do inference?
c) Assume that all conditions for inference hold. Would you advice the journalist to write the article? Use a significance level
of 5% in your analysis.

a) Hypotheses

𝐻𝐻0 : 𝜇𝜇 = 95; 𝐻𝐻𝐴𝐴 : 𝜇𝜇 ≠ 95

Two tailed test, hypothesized mean 95mpg

b) Test name: Hypothesis test on the population mean, population standard deviation unknown.

Conditions:
• Normality: n≥ 30 or population normal
Sample size is 25 (Minitab descriptive statistics), 25 < 30
Need population to follow normal distribution as sample is small – 25. No information in question
• σ unknown. yep
• Representative sample: question states representative
• Independent observations: question states random sample so OK

Assumptions: mpg of ultra fuel efficient cars follows a normal distribution.

c) Hypothesis Test
Hypotheses: given in a)
Significance 5%
Test name and conditions check: see b)

Computation method: Used Minitab’s one sample t-tool to directly compute test statistic 0.71, p-value 0.48
Sample statistics from one sample t-tool
𝑥𝑥̅ = 96.52
𝑠𝑠 = 10.70
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = n − 1 = 25 − 1 = 24

How test statistic was computed:

𝑥𝑥̅ − 𝜇𝜇0 96.52 − 95
𝑡𝑡24 = 𝑠𝑠 = = 0.71
� 𝑛𝑛 10.70�
√ √25

How p-value was computed:

Two tailed test p-value:
Test statistic is positive so p-value for two tailed test is double the upper tail.
p-value = 2P(T≥ 0.71) = 0.48 (Minitab)
1. Conclusion and Interpretation

Conclusion: p-value of 0.48 is greater than significance of 5%, cannot reject the null.
Interpretation: With 5% significance, there is no evidence that average MPG is different to 95mpg.
We would not advise writing the article
We warn that our results rely strongly on the assumption of a normal distribution for the