11

Statistics and Probability

Quarter 4 – Module 3
Small-Sample Tests about the
Population Mean
Statistics and Probability – Grade 11
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 4 – Module 3: Small-Sample Tests on the Population Mean

First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writers: Leo Niño O. Maniwang

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Editor: Marlon S. Jala PhD
Management Team: Bianito A. Dagatan EdD, CESO V
Schools Division Superintendent

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EPS, Mathematics

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Learning Competencies: Identifies the appropriate form of the test-statistic when: (a)
the population variance is assumed to be known; (b) the
population variance is assumed to be unknown; and (c) the
Central Limit Theorem is to be used. (M11/12SP-Ivb-2)
Identifies the appropriate rejection region for a given level of
significance when: (a) the population variance is assumed
to be known; (b) the population variance is assumed to be
unknown; and (c) the Central Limit Theorem is to be used.
(M11/12SP-Ivc-1)
computes for the test-statistic value (population mean).
(M11/12SP-IVd-1)
Draws conclusion about the population mean based on the
test-statistic value & the rejection region. (M11/12SP-IVd-
2)
Solves problems involving test of hypothesis on the
population mean. (M11/12SP-IVe-1)

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

 identify the appropriate form of the test-statistic when: the population
variance is known and the Central Limit Theorem is to be used;
 identify the appropriate rejection region for a given level of significance
when: (a) the population variance is assumed to be known; and (c) the
Central Limit Theorem is to be used;
 compute for the test-statistic value (population mean);
 draw conclusion about the population mean based on the test-statistic value
and the rejection region; and
 solve problems involving test of hypothesis on the population mean.

Lesson 1: Small-Sample Tests on the Population Mean

What is it…
When the sample size n is less than 30, the Central Limit Theorem cannot be
applied, and the normal distribution model cannot be used. To conduct hypothesis
testing about the population mean on small samples (n<30), we must assume that the
parent population from which the sample comes is approximately normal.

Further, if the population standard deviation is not known, it is usually the

case that we use the sample standard deviation (s) as an estimate of the population
standard deviation (σ ).

In cases like this, Student’s t-distribution is more appropriate to use:

x−µ o
Test Statistic: t = s
√n
where µo is the hypothesized value of the population mean.

The Student’s t- distribution was formulated in 1908 by an Irish brewing

employee named William Sealy Gosset. Gosset was involved in researching
new methods of manufacturing ale, a type of beer brewed using a warm
fermentation method, resulting in a sweet, full-bodied, and fruity taste. Because
brewing employees were not allowed to publish results, Gosset published his

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 finding using the pseudonym Student. Hence, the t-distribution is otherwise
known as Student’s t-Distribution.
Example: Solve for the t-statistic,
1. sample mean = 29 population mean = 30
sample size = 20 sample standard deviation = 2
x=29 µ = 30 s=2 n=20
x−µ o 29−30
t = s = 6 = −√ 5 = -2.24
√n √20
2. sample mean = 90 population mean = 85
sample size = 28 sample standard deviation = 4
x=90 µ = 85 s=4 n=28
x−µ o 90−85
= √2 = 6.61
5 7
t = s = 4
√n √ 28

What’s
Directions: Solve for the t-statistic. Show your Solutions.
1. sample mean = 80 population mean = 85
sample size = 10 sample standard deviation = 5
2. sample mean = 90 population mean = 88
sample size = 25 sample standard deviation = 4
3. s=7 n=15 x=10 µ = 13
4. s=6 n=7 x=13 µ = 10

Lesson 2: Rejection Region and Level of Significance

What is it…
The rejection region (also called critical region) refers to the region where the
value of the test statistic lies for which we will reject the null hypothesis. It may be on
the left, or right, or both depending on the alternative hypothesis.

To identify the appropriate rejection region for Small-Sample Tests:

A. Choose the significance level α.
It may be 0.10, 0.05 or 0.01 with the corresponding confidence
levels of 90%, 95% or 99%.
B. Identify if the test is two-tailed or one-tailed based on the alternative
hypothesis.
If the alternative hypothesis makes use of “not equal to” (≠), it
suggests a two tailed test. If the alternative hypothesis makes use of
“less than” (<) or any other synonymous words, it suggests a left tailed
test. If the alternative hypothesis makes use of “greater than” (>) or any
other synonymous words, it suggests a right tailed test.
C. Get the critical values from the test statistic table.
Using the t-table, identify the degrees of freedom (df) = n – 1. That
is, the sample size (n) minus one. Locate the degrees of freedom on the

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 left column and match it with the appropriate significance level. For one-
tailed test, refer to the first row; for two-tailed test, refer to the second
row. Use the critical value on the table found in the intersection of the
degrees of freedom and the significance level (alpha). Use the negative of
the critical values for left tailed test. (Refer to the t-table.)
T-DISTRIBUTION TABLE
The degrees of freedom (df) is equal to the sample size (n) minus one.
(df = n – 1)

α 0.005 0.01 0.025 0.05 0.1 1-tailed

df 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.2 2-tailed
1 63.66 31.82 12.71 6.31 3.08

2 9.92 6.96 4.30 2.92 1.89

3 5.84 4.54 3.18 2.35 1.64

4 4.60 3.75 2.78 2.13 1.53

5 4.03 3.36 2.57 2.02 1.48

6 3.71 3.14 2.45 1.94 1.44

7 3.50 3.00 2.36 1.89 1.41

8 3.36 2.90 2.31 1.86 1.40

9 3.25 2.82 2.26 1.83 1.38

10 3.17 2.76 2.23 1.81 1.37

11 3.11 2.72 2.20 1.80 1.36

12 3.05 2.68 2.18 1.78 1.36

13 3.01 2.65 2.16 1.77 1.35

14 2.98 2.62 2.14 1.76 1.35

15 2.95 2.60 2.13 1.75 1.34

16 2.92 2.58 2.12 1.75 1.34

17 2.90 2.57 2.11 1.74 1.33

18 2.88 2.55 2.10 1.73 1.33

19 2.86 2.54 2.09 1.73 1.33

20 2.85 2.53 2.09 1.72 1.33

21 2.83 2.52 2.08 1.72 1.32

22 2.82 2.51 2.07 1.72 1.32

23 2.81 2.50 2.07 1.71 1.32

24 2.80 2.49 2.06 1.71 1.32

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 25 2.79 2.49 2.06 1.71 1.32

26 2.78 2.48 2.06 1.71 1.31

27 2.77 2.47 2.05 1.70 1.31

28 2.76 2.47 2.05 1.70 1.31

29 2.76 2.46 2.05 1.70 1.31

30 2.75 2.46 2.04 1.70 1.31

D. Establish the critical regions.

One-Tailed Rejection Region

left – tailed right – tailed

α α

t critical value t critical value

Two-Tailed Rejection Region

α α
2 2
t critical values
Example 1:
The quality of drinking water must be monitored often for possible
contamination. The pH level measures the alkalinity or acidity of water. A pH below
7.0 is acidic while a pH above 7.0 is alkaline. A pH of 7.0 is neutral. A water-treatment
plant has a target pH of 8.0. Based on 16 random samples, the mean was found to be
7.6 and the standard deviation was 0.4. At 95% confidence, is there enough evidence
to say that the sample mean differs significantly from the target mean?

A. Choose the significance level α.

 0.05 because confidence level is 95%
B. Identify if it is two-tailed or one-tailed
 two-tailed, because Ha: µ ≠ 8.0
C. Get the critical values from the test statistic table.
 df = n – 1 = 16 – 1 = 15
 t critical values = ± 2.13
D. Sketch the critical regions.

α α
= = 0.025
2 2
-2.13 2.13

Example 2:
The agriculturist claimed that the height of Molave seedlings in the nursery is
less than 6cm. A sample of 5 seedlings were chosen at random and the mean was

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found to be 4.6 cm with a standard deviation of 1.5 cm. Is the claim true at 95%
confidence?

A. The significance level α = 0.05 because confidence level is 95%

B. It is a one-tailed, left-tailed test because Ha: µ < 6
C. df = n – 1 = 5 – 1 = 4. The critical value is t = -2.13
D. The critical region is on the left tail.

α = 0.05

-2.13

What’s
Directions: For each problem, do the following:
A. Choose the significance level α.
B. Identify if it is two-tailed or one-tailed
C. Get the critical values from the test statistic table.
D. Sketch the critical regions.
1. According to egames.com, Mobile Legends players spend an average of 6.5 hours
daily. 10 teenagers were surveyed and the results showed a mean time of 4.2 hours
with a standard deviation of 2 hours. Test the claim true at 90% confidence.

2. The health worker assured that 5-year-old children in the barangay weighs more
than 10 kg. 25 5-year-old children were weighed and got an average weight of 10.2
kg with a standard deviation of 0.3 kg. Test the hypothesis at 0.01 level of
significance.

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 Lesson 3: Drawing Conclusion about the µ (n < 30)

What is it…
In Small-Sample Tests, the decision rule for the null hypothesis is based on the
test-statistic value and the rejection region using the t-distribution table:
A. For two-tailed test,
 reject the null hypothesis if the computed test statistic is less than the
negative critical value or greater than the positive critical value.
 do not reject null hypothesis if the computed test statistic is greater than
or equal to the negative critical value or less than or equal to the positive
critical value.
B. For one-tailed test (left tailed),
 reject the null hypothesis if the computed test statistic is less than the
negative critical value
 Do not reject null hypothesis if the computed test statistic is greater than
or equal to the negative critical value
C. For one-tailed test (right tailed),
 reject the null hypothesis if the computed test statistic is greater than
the positive critical value.
 Do not reject null hypothesis if the computed test statistic is less than or
equal to the positive critical value.

Example 1:
The quality of drinking water must be monitored often for possible
contamination. The pH level measures the alkalinity or acidity of water. A pH below
7.0 is acidic while a pH above 7.0 is alkaline. A pH of 7.0 is neutral. A water-treatment
plant has a target pH of 8.0. Based on 16 random samples, the mean was found to be
7.6 and the standard deviation was 0.4. At 95% confidence, is there enough evidence
to say that the sample mean differs significantly from the target mean?
 The significance level α = 0.05 because confidence level is 95%
 It is a two-tailed, because Ha: µ ≠ 8.0
 df = n – 1 = 16 – 1 = 15. The critical value is t = -2.13
 The critical region is on both tails.

α α
= = 0.025
2 2
-2.13 2.13
A. Computing the test statistic
x=7.6 µ=8 s=0.4 n=16
x−µ 7.6−8
z= s = 0.4 = -4
√n √16
B. Decision Rule: -4 < -2.13; reject Ho
C. Conclusion: There is enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis.
There is a significant difference between the sample mean
and the target mean. The sample does not come from the
population whose mean is 8pH.

Example 2:

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 The agriculturist claimed that the height of Molave seedlings in the nursery is
less than 6cm. A sample of 5 seedlings were chosen at random and the mean was
found to be 4.6 cm with a standard deviation of 1.5 cm. Is the claim true at 95%
confidence?
 The significance level α = 0.05 because confidence level is 95%
 It is a one-tailed, left-tailed test because Ha: µ < 6
 df = n – 1 = 5 – 1 = 4. The critical value is t = -2.13
 The critical region is on the left tail.

α = 0.05

-2.13
A. Computing the test statistic
x=4.6 µ=6 s=1.5 n=5
x−µ 4.6−6
−14 √ 5
z= s = 1.5 = 15
= -2.09
√n √5
B. Decision Rule: -2.09 > -2.13; do not reject Ho
C. Conclusion: There is no enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis.
There is no significant difference between the sample mean
and the claimed mean. The agriculturist’s claim is right.
The sample seedlings come from the population whose
mean height is 6cm.

What’s
Directions: Solve the following real-life problems involving test of hypothesis on the
population mean. State your conclusions.
1. According to egames.com, Mobile Legends players spend an average of 6.5 hours
daily. 10 teenagers were surveyed and the results showed a mean time of 4.2 hours
with a standard deviation of 2 hours. Test the claim true at 90% confidence.

2. The health worker assured that 5-year-old children in the barangay weighs more
than 10 kg. 25 5-year-old children were weighed and got an average weight of 10.2
kg with a standard deviation of 0.3 kg. Test the hypothesis at 0.01 level of
significance.

Assessment
Direction: Choose the letter that corresponds to the correct answer. Write the
CAPITAL LETTER of your answer in the answer sheet provided.

1. The sample is said to be small if ________________.

A. n = 30 B. n < 30 C. n ≠ 30 D. n ≥ 30

2. When the sample is small and the CLT is not applied, the hypothesis is tested using
the formula ________________.

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 x−µ o µ o−x
A. t = s C. t = s
√n √n
x−µ o µ o−x
B. z = s D. z = s
√n √n
For numbers 3 – 10, refer to this problem:

The SSG treasurer wants to test the assumption that the students of
Mabungahon National High School have an average daily allowance more than
40 pesos. To test the claim at 95% confidence, 28 students were chosen at
random and the results showed that their average daily allowance was 48 pesos
with a standard deviation of 10 pesos.

3. Which of the following would be an appropriate alternative hypothesis?

A. H1: µ > 40 B. H1: µ ≠ 40 C. H1: µ > 48 D. H1: µ ≠ 48

4. Based on the alternative hypothesis, is the test is two-tailed or one-tailed?

A. one-tailed because H1: µ = 48 C. one-tailed because H1: µ > 40
B. two-tailed because H1: µ ≠ 48 D. two-tailed because H1: µ < 40

5. The degrees of freedom (df) is ________________.

A. 30 B. 29 C. 28 D. 27

6. At 95% confidence, the critical value(s) is/are ________________.

A. ± 2.05 B. -2.05 C. ±1.70 D. 1.70

7. Which is the correct graph (sketch) of the critical region?

A. C.

α α α α
= 0.025 = 0.025 = 0.025 = 0.025
2 2 2 2
-2.05 2.05 -1.70 1.70

B. D.

α = 0.05 α = 0.05

1.70 -1.70
x−µ o
8. Compute the test statistic using t = s .
√n
A. -4.23 B. 4.23 C. 4.24 D. -4.24

9. What is the decision rule?

A. -4.23 < -1.70; accept H0 C. 4.23 > 1.70; reject H0
B. -4.23 < -1.70; reject H0 D. 4.24 > 1.70; accept H0

10. What conclusion can be made about the students’ average daily allowance?
A. The claim is correct. The students of Mabungahon National High School have an
average daily allowance more than 40 pesos.
B. The claim is incorrect. The students of Mabungahon National High School have
an average daily allowance more than 40 pesos.
C. The claim is correct. The students of Mabungahon National High School have an
average daily allowance not more than 40 pesos.

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 D. The claim is incorrect. The students of Mabungahon National High School have
an average daily allowance not more than 40 pesos.

References
Albert, JR. et. al 2016. Teaching Guide for Senior High School Statistics and
Probability. Quezon City: Commission on Higher Education

Belecina, R. et al. 2016. Statistics and Probability. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.
Answer Sheet
Name:
Grade 11- Score:

Quarter 4 – Module 3

Lesson 1
What’s More
1. 3.

2. 4.

Lesson 2
What’s More
1. A.
B.
C.
D.

2. A.
B.
C.
D.

Lesson 3
What’s More
1.

A.

B.

C.

2.

A.

B.

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 C.

Assessment
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.

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 Answer Key

Quarter 4 - Module 3

Lesson 1
What’s More
1. −√ 5 or -3.16 −3 √ 15
3. or -1.66
5 7
2. or 2.50
2
4.
√7 or 1.32
2

Lesson 2
What’s More
1. A. The significance level α = 0.10
B. It is a two-tailed test because Ha: µ ≠ 6.5 𝛼
= 0.05
𝛼
= 0.05
2 2
C. df = n – 1 = 10 – 1 = 9; t = ± 1.83
-1.83 1.83
D. The critical regions are on both tails
2. A. The significance level α = 0.01
B. It is a right-tailed test because Ha: µ > 10 α = 0.01
C. df = n – 1 = 25 – 1 = 24; t = ± 2.49
2.49
D. The critical region is on the right tail

Lesson 3
What’s More
1. A. Computing the test statistic
x=4.2 µ = 6.5 s=1 n=10 𝛼
= 0.05
𝛼
= 0.05
2 2
x−µ
−23 √ 10 -1.83 1.83
t= s = = -3.64
20
√n
B. Decision Rule: -3.64 < -1.83; reject Ho
C. Conclusion: There is enough evidence to reject the null
hypothesis. The teenagers does not spend an average of
6.5 hours daily playing Mobile Legends. egames.com is
not right about its claim.

2. A. Computing the test statistic

x=10.2 µ = 10 s=0.3 n=25 α = 0.01
x−µ
10 2.49
t= s = or 3.33
3
√n
B. Decision Rule: 3.33 > 2.49; reject Ho
C. Conclusion: There is enough evidence to reject the null
hypothesis. The 5-year-old children in the barangay
weighs more than 10 kg. The health worker is right
about his claim.

Assessment
1. B 6. D
2. A 7. B
3. A 8. B
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