Mathematics 9709 · AS & A Level · Hypothesis testing
Hypothesis testing — practice question
The lengths, in centimetres, of worms of a particular species are normally distributed with mean $\mu$ and standard deviation $2.3$. A magazine article gives the value of $\mu$ as $12.7$. A scientist wants to check whether this value is correct. He measures the lengths, $x$ cm, of a random sample of 50 worms of this species and obtains $\Sigma x = 597.1$. He intends to carry out a test, at the $1\%$ significance level, to find whether the true value of $\mu$ differs from $12.7$.
(a)[1]
State whether a one-tailed test or a two-tailed test should be used, and give a reason.
(b)[5]
Carry out the test in full.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 6-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “A two-tailed test is needed because a difference is being sought.” …