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.

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