MEASURES OF DIFFERENCES

THE Z- TEST
The z-test is used to determine if the obtained sample mean is
different from the expected population mean.
If the population standard deviation (σ) is given, the formula to be
used is:

where: ẋ = the sample mean

μ = the population mean
σ = the population standard deviation
n = the number of cases in the sample
If the population standard deviation is unknown, the formula is:

where: ẋ = the sample mean

μ = the population mean
σ = the population standard deviation
n = the number of cases in the sample

Examples
1. It is known that the percentile mean of senior students of Manila
Science in the NCAE is 99 with a standard deviation of 2. In the last
NCAE, the actual mean of 500 students of Manila Science High
School was 97 with a standard deviation of 2.3 was there a
significant difference between the actual mean and the hypothesized
mean? Use=.05 and follow the steps in hypothesis testing.
Solution:
Ho: μ = 99
H1: μ ≠99 (two-tailed)
Interval variable
Z-test with given σ
N= 500 = .05

Tabular value at 0.5 with df = is 1.6 (Appendix F) Since the

computed value / -22.361/ =22.361 is greater than the tabular
value, the null hypothesis is rejected.
There is a significant difference between the hypothesized mean and
the actual mean
2. The manufacturer of soap claims that the average weight of
detergent soap per pack is 200 grams. A retailer sampled 20 packs
of this soap and got an average weight of 198.7 grams and a
standard deviation of 5 grams. Is the claim of manufacturer valid?
Use =.05 and follow the steps in hypothesis testing.

Solution: Ho: μ = 200

H1: μ ≠200
Interval variable
Z-test with unknown σ
n= 20 = .05
Solution:
Ho: μ = 200
H1: μ ≠200
Interval variable
Z-test with unknown σ
n= 20 = .05

Tabular value at 0.5 with df = 19 is 1.729 (Appendix F) since the

computed is less than the tabular value, the null hypothesis is
accepted
The calm of the manufacturer is valid.