In January 1995, each student in a random sample of 150 physics majors at a large university was asked in how many lab classes he or she was enrolled. The results indicated a mean of 1.74 lab classes and a standard deviation of 1.49. To determine whether the distribution changed over the past 20 years, a similar survey was conducted in January 2015 by selecting a random sample of 150 physics majors. The results indicated a sample mean of 1.87 and a standard deviation of 1.57. Do the data provide evidence that the mean number of lab classes taken by physics majors in January 1995 is different from the mean number of lab classes taken in 2015? Perform an appropriate statistical test using α = 0.10. (10 points)

The data provide evidence that the mean number of lab classes taken by physics majors in January 1995 is not different from the mean number of lab classes taken in 2015.

Step-by-step explanation:

A t-test for difference between means can be used to determine whether the mean number of lab classes taken by physics majors in January 1995 is different from the mean number of lab classes taken in 2015.

The hypothesis is:

H₀: There is no difference between the two population means, i.e. μ₁ = μ₂.

Hₐ: There is a significant difference between the two population means, i.e. μ₁ ≠ μ₂.

The survey was conducted in a similar pattern. Assume that the two population standard deviations are same.

The information provided is:

The test statistic is:

Here s is the pooled standard deviation.

Compute the value of pooled standard deviation as follows:

Compute the test statistic value as follows:

The test statistic value is -0.735.

The decision rule is:

If the p - value of the test is less than the significance level, α = 0.10 then the null hypothesis will be rejected and vice-versa.

Compute the p-value as follows:

The p-value = 0.463 > α = 0.10.

As the p-value is more than the significance level the null hypothesis will not be rejected at 10% level of significance.

Conclusion:

The data provide evidence that the mean number of lab classes taken by physics majors in January 1995 is not different from the mean number of lab classes taken in 2015.

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step-by-step explanation:

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