Math  /  Data & Statistics

QuestioniClicker Question A scientist is concerned about radiation levels in her laboratory. A room is only considered safe if the mean radiation level is 425 or less. A random sample of 16 radiation measurements is taken at different locations within the laboratory. These 16 measurements have a mean of 437 and a standard deviation of 20. Radiation levels in the laboratory are known to follow a normal distribution. We conduct a hypothesis test at the 5%5 \% level of significance to determine whether there is evidence that the laboratory is unsafe.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

1. The sample size is n=16 n = 16 .
2. The sample mean is xˉ=437 \bar{x} = 437 .
3. The sample standard deviation is s=20 s = 20 .
4. The population of radiation levels follows a normal distribution.
5. We are conducting a hypothesis test at the 5% 5\% level of significance.

STEP 2

1. State the null and alternative hypotheses.
2. Determine the test statistic.
3. Determine the critical value or p-value.
4. Make a decision to accept or reject the null hypothesis.

STEP 3

State the null and alternative hypotheses:
- Null hypothesis (H0 H_0 ): The mean radiation level is μ=425 \mu = 425 . - Alternative hypothesis (Ha H_a ): The mean radiation level is μ>425 \mu > 425 .

STEP 4

Calculate the test statistic using the formula for the t-test:
t=xˉμ0s/nt = \frac{\bar{x} - \mu_0}{s/\sqrt{n}}
Substitute the given values:
t=43742520/16=125=2.4t = \frac{437 - 425}{20/\sqrt{16}} = \frac{12}{5} = 2.4

STEP 5

Determine the critical value or p-value for a one-tailed test at the 5% 5\% level of significance with n1=15 n - 1 = 15 degrees of freedom.
Using a t-distribution table or calculator, find the critical value for α=0.05 \alpha = 0.05 .
The critical value is approximately t0.05,15=1.753 t_{0.05, 15} = 1.753 .

STEP 6

Compare the test statistic to the critical value:
Since t=2.4 t = 2.4 is greater than 1.753 1.753 , we reject the null hypothesis.
Conclusion: There is evidence at the 5% 5\% level of significance to suggest that the laboratory is unsafe.

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