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The homogeneity of the chloride level in a water sample from a lake was tested b

ID: 3064598 • Letter: T

Question

The homogeneity of the chloride level in a water sample from a lake was tested by analysing portions drawn from the top and from near the bottom of the lake. The following results in ppm chloride were obtained. 12. Top 26.30 26.43 26.28 26.19 26.49 Bottom 26.22 26.32 26.20 26.11 26.42 (a) (b) (c) Perform-test at the 95% confidence level to determine if the chloride level from the top of the lake is different from that at the bottom Use paired t-test and determine whether there is a significant difference between the top and bottom values at the 95% confidence level Explain why there is a different conclusion drawn from (a) and (b) above.

Explanation / Answer

Part a

t critical = 2.3646

t = 1.1078

Since t < t critical, we conclude that there is no significant difference exists at 95% confidence interval.

Detailed results for this test for more explanation are summarized as below: (By using Excel)

Separate-Variances t Test for the Difference Between Two Means

(assumes unequal population variances)

Data

Hypothesized Difference

0

Level of Significance

0.05

Population 1 Sample

Sample Size

5

Sample Mean

26.338

Sample Standard Deviation

0.1207

Population 2 Sample

Sample Size

5

Sample Mean

26.254

Sample Standard Deviation

0.1191

Intermediate Calculations

Numerator of Degrees of Freedom

0.0000

Denominator of Degrees of Freedom

0.0000

Total Degrees of Freedom

7.9985

Degrees of Freedom

7

Standard Error

0.0758

Difference in Sample Means

0.0840

Separate-Variance t Test Statistic

1.1078

Two-Tail Test

Lower Critical Value

-2.3646

Upper Critical Value

2.3646

p-Value

0.3046

Do not reject the null hypothesis

Part b

t critical = 2.7764

t = 12.3851

Since t > t critical, we conclude that there is a significant difference exists at 95% confidence interval.

Detailed results for this test for more explanation are summarized as below: (By using Excel)

Paired t Test

Data

Hypothesized Mean Difference

0

Level of significance

0.05

Intermediate Calculations

Sample Size

5

DBar

0.0840

Degrees of Freedom

4

SD

0.0152

Standard Error

0.0068

t Test Statistic

12.3851

Two-Tail Test

Lower Critical Value

-2.7764

Upper Critical Value

2.7764

p-Value

0.0002

Reject the null hypothesis

Part C

Answer:

Because there are reduced degrees of freedom with the paired t test, the significant difference detected is artificial.

Separate-Variances t Test for the Difference Between Two Means

(assumes unequal population variances)

Data

Hypothesized Difference

0

Level of Significance

0.05

Population 1 Sample

Sample Size

5

Sample Mean

26.338

Sample Standard Deviation

0.1207

Population 2 Sample

Sample Size

5

Sample Mean

26.254

Sample Standard Deviation

0.1191

Intermediate Calculations

Numerator of Degrees of Freedom

0.0000

Denominator of Degrees of Freedom

0.0000

Total Degrees of Freedom

7.9985

Degrees of Freedom

7

Standard Error

0.0758

Difference in Sample Means

0.0840

Separate-Variance t Test Statistic

1.1078

Two-Tail Test

Lower Critical Value

-2.3646

Upper Critical Value

2.3646

p-Value

0.3046

Do not reject the null hypothesis