Math Problem Statement

The claim is that weights​ (grams) of quarters made after 1964 have a mean equal to 5.670 g as required by mint specifications. The sample size is nequals40 and the test statistic is tequalsnegative 3.123. Use technology to find the​ P-value. Based on the​ result, what is the final​ conclusion? Use a significance level of 0.05.

Solution

To solve this problem, let's break it down into steps:

Step 1: Set up the hypothesis

  1. Null hypothesis (H₀): The mean weight of quarters made after 1964 is 5.670 grams. H0:μ=5.670H_0: \mu = 5.670
  2. Alternative hypothesis (H₁): The mean weight of quarters made after 1964 is not 5.670 grams (two-tailed test). H1:μ5.670H_1: \mu \neq 5.670

Step 2: Identify the given information

  • Sample size, n=40n = 40
  • Test statistic, t=3.123t = -3.123
  • Significance level, α=0.05\alpha = 0.05

Step 3: Find the P-value

Since this is a two-tailed test, the P-value is the probability of observing a test statistic as extreme as t=3.123t = -3.123 in either direction (both tails of the distribution).

Using a t-distribution with n1=401=39n - 1 = 40 - 1 = 39 degrees of freedom, let's calculate the P-value for t=3.123t = -3.123.

Using technology (like a t-distribution calculator or statistical software):

  1. Look up the cumulative probability for t=3.123t = -3.123 with 39 degrees of freedom.
  2. For a two-tailed test, multiply this probability by 2.

After calculating, we find that:

P-value0.0035\text{P-value} \approx 0.0035

Step 4: Make the conclusion

With a P-value of approximately 0.0035, we compare it to the significance level α=0.05\alpha = 0.05:

  • Since P-value<0.05\text{P-value} < 0.05, we reject the null hypothesis.

Final Conclusion

There is enough evidence to conclude that the mean weight of quarters made after 1964 is different from 5.670 grams at the 0.05 significance level.


Would you like further details on any part of this process? Here are some related questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. How do we interpret a two-tailed test compared to a one-tailed test?
  2. Why is the sample size relevant in hypothesis testing?
  3. What is the role of the degrees of freedom in calculating the P-value?
  4. How would our conclusion change if the significance level was 0.01?
  5. What steps are necessary to perform this test manually without technology?

Tip: In hypothesis testing, always check if your test is one-tailed or two-tailed, as this affects the P-value calculation.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Hypothesis Testing
T-distribution
P-value
Two-Tailed Test

Formulas

t = (x̄ - μ) / (s / √n)
P-value for two-tailed test: 2 * P(T ≤ -|t|)

Theorems

Central Limit Theorem
T-distribution

Suitable Grade Level

College (Statistics)