Chapter 9

1. An article in the November 1983 Consumer Reports compared various types of batteries.
The average lifetimes of Duracell Alkaline AA batteries and Eveready Energizer Alkaline
AA batteries were given as 4.1 hours and 4.5 hours, respectively. Suppose these are the
population average lifetimes.
a. Let X be the sample average lifetime of 100 Duracell batteries and Y be the sample
average lifetime of 100 Eveready batteries. What is the mean value of X − Y (i.e., where
is the distribution of X − Y centered)? How does your answer depend on the specified
sample sizes?
b. Suppose the population standard deviations of lifetime are 1.8 hours for Duracell
batteries and 2.0 hours for Eveready batteries. With the sample sizes given in part (a), what
is the variance of the statistic X − Y , and what is its standard deviation?
c. For the sample sizes given in part (a), draw a picture of the approximate distribution
curve of X − Y (include a measurement scale on the horizontal axis). Would the shape of
the curve necessarily be the same for sample sizes of 10 batteries of each type? Explain.
5. Persons having Reynaud’s syndrome are apt to suffer a sudden impairment of blood
circulation in fingers and toes. In an experiment to study the extent of this impairment,
each subject immersed a forefinger in water and the resulting heat output (cal/cm2/min)
was measured. For m = 10 subjects with the syndrome, the average heat output was x =
.64, and for n = 10 nonsufferers, the average output was 2.05. Let 1 , 2 denote the true
average heat outputs for the two types of subjects. Assume that the two distributions of
heat output are normal with  1 = 0.2, 2 = 0.4 .
a. Consider testing H 0 : 1 − 2 = −1.0 versus H a : 1 − 2  −1.0 at level .01. Describe
in words what H a says, and then carry out the test.
b. Compute the P-value for the value of Z obtained in part (a).
c. What is the probability of a type II error when the actual difference between x1 and ¡x2
is H 0 : 1 − 2 = −1.2 ?
d. Assuming that m = n, what sample sizes are required to ensure that  = 0.1 when
1 − 2 = −1.2 ?
6. An experiment to compare the tension bond strength of polymer latex modified mortar
(Portland cement mortar to which polymer latex emulsions have been added during
mixing) to that of unmodified mortar resulted in x = 18.12 kgf/cm2 for the modified mortar
(m = 40) and y = 16.87 kgf/cm2 for the unmodified mortar (n = 32). Let x1 and ¡x2 be the
true average tension bond strengths for the modified and unmodified mortars, respectively.
Assume that the bond strength distributions are both normal.
a. Assuming that  1 = 1.6, 2 = 1.4 , test H 0 : 1 − 2 = 0 versus H a : 1 − 2  0 at level
.01.
b. Compute the probability of a type II error for the test of part (a) when H 0 : 1 − 2 = 1 .
c. Suppose the investigator decided to use a level .05 test and wished  =.10 when
H 0 : 1 − 2 = 1 . If m = 40, what value of n is necessary?
d. How would the analysis and conclusion of part (a) change if  1; 2 were unknown but
s1 = 1.6, s2 = 1.4 ?
7. Are male college students more easily bored than their female counterparts? This
question was examined in the article “Boredom in Young Adults - Gender and Cultural
Comparisons” (J. of Cross-Cultural Psych., 1991: 209-223). The authors administered a
scale called the Boredom Proneness Scale to 97 male and 148 female U.S. college students.
Does the accompanying data support the research hypothesis that the mean Boredom
Proneness Rating is higher for men than for women? Test the appropriate hypotheses using
a .05 significance level.

8. Tensile strength tests were carried out on two different grades of wire rod (“Fluidized
Bed Patenting of Wire Rods,” Wire J., June 1977: 56-61), resulting in the accompanying
data.

a. Does the data provide compelling evidence for concluding that true average strength for
the 1078 grade exceeds that for the 1064 grade by more than 10 kg/mm2? Test the
appropriate hypotheses using the P-value approach.
b. Estimate the difference between true average strengths for the two grades in a way that
provides information about precision and reliability.
9. The article “Evaluation of a Ventilation Strategy to Prevent Barotrauma in Patients at
High Risk for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome” (New Engl. J. of Med., 1998: 355-
358) reported on an experiment in which 120 patients with similar clinical features were
randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group, each consisting of 60 patients.
The sample mean ICU stay (days) and sample standard deviation for the treatment group
were 19.9 and 39.1, respectively, whereas these values for the control group were 13.7 and
15.8.
a. Calculate a point estimate for the difference between true average ICU stay for the
treatment and control groups. Does this estimate suggest that there is a significant
difference between true average stays under the two conditions?
b. Answer the question posed in part (a) by carrying out a formal test of hypotheses. Is the
result different from what you conjectured in part (a)?
c. Does it appear that ICU stay for patients given the ventilation treatment is normally
distributed? Explain your reasoning.
d. Estimate true average length of stay for patients given the ventilation treatment in a way
that conveys information about precision and reliability.
10. An experiment was performed to compare the fracture toughness of high-purity 18 Ni
maraging steel with commercial-purity steel of the same type (Corrosion Science, 1971:
723-736). For m = 32 specimens, the sample average toughness was if x = 65.6 for the
high-purity steel, whereas for n = 38 specimens of commercial steel y = 59.8. Because the
high-purity steel is more expensive, its use for a certain application can be justified only if
its fracture toughness exceeds that of commercial-purity steel by more than 5. Suppose that
both toughness distributions are normal.
a. Assuming that  1 = 1.2, 2 = 1.1 , test the relevant hypotheses using  = .001.
b. Compute  for the test conducted in part (a) when 1 − 2 = 6 .
11. The level of lead in the blood was determined for a sample of 152 male hazardous-
waste workers age 20 – 30 and also for a sample of 86 female workers, resulting in a mean
± standard error of 5.5 ± 0.3 for the men and 3.8 ± 0.2 for the women (“Temporal Changes
in Blood Lead Levels of Hazardous Waste Workers in New Jersey, 1984-1987,” Environ.
Monitoring and Assessment, 1993: 99-107). Calculate an estimate of the difference
between true average blood lead levels for male and female workers in a way that provides
information about reliability and precision.
12. The accompanying table gives summary data on cube compressive strength (N/mm2)
for concrete specimens made with a pulverized fuel-ash mix (“A Study of Twenty-Five-
Year-Old Pulverized Fuel Ash Concrete Used in Foundation Structures,” Proc. Inst. Civ.
Engrs., Mar. 1985: 149-165):
Calculate and interpret a 99% CI for the difference between true average 7-day strength
and true average 28-day strength.
13. A mechanical engineer wishes to compare strength properties of steel beams with
similar beams made with a particular alloy. The same number of beams, n, of each type
will be tested. Each beam will be set in a horizontal position with a support on each end, a
force of 2500 lb will be applied at the center, and the deflection will be measured. From
past experience with such beams, the engineer is willing to assume that the true standard
deviation of deflection for both types of beam is .05 in. Because the alloy is more
expensive, the engineer wishes to test at level .01 whether it has smaller average deflection
than the steel beam. What value of n is appropriate if the desired type II error probability
is .05 when the difference in true average deflection favors the alloy by .04 in.?
18. Let 1 , 2 denote true average densities for two different types of brick. Assuming
normality of the two density distributions, test H 0 : 1 − 2 = 0 versus H a : 1 − 2  0
using the following data: m = 6, x = 22.73, s1 = .164, n = 5, y = 21.95, and s2 = .240.
19. Suppose 1; 2 are true mean stopping distances at 50 mph for cars of a certain type
equipped with two different types of braking systems. Use the two-sample t test at
significance level .01 to test H 0 : 1 − 2 = −10 versus H a : 1 − 2  −10 for the
following data: m = 6, x = 115.7, s1 = 5.03, n = 6, y = 129.3, and s2 = 5.38.
21. Quantitative noninvasive techniques are needed for routinely assessing symptoms of
peripheral neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The article “A Gap
Detection Tactility Test for Sensory Deficits Associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”
(Ergonomics, 1995: 2588-2601) reported on a test that involved sensing a tiny gap in an
otherwise smooth surface by probing with a finger; this functionally resembles many work-
related tactile activities, such as detecting scratches or surface defects. When finger probing
was not allowed, the sample average gap detection threshold for m = 8 normal subjects was
1.71 mm, and the sample standard deviation was .53; for n = 10 CTS subjects, the sample
mean and sample standard deviation were 2.53 and .87, respectively. Does this data suggest
that the true average gap detection threshold for CTS subjects exceeds that for normal
subjects? State and test the relevant hypotheses using a significance level of .01.
22. The slant shear test is widely accepted for evaluating the bond of resinous repair
materials to concrete; it utilizes cylinder specimens made of two identical halves bonded
at 30°. The article “Testing the Bond Between Repair Materials and Concrete Substrate”
(ACIMaterials J., 1996: 553-558) reported that for 12 specimens prepared using wire-
brushing, the sample mean shear strength (N/mm2) and sample standard deviation were
19.20 and 1.58, respectively, whereas for 12 hand-chiseled specimens, the corresponding
values were 23.13 and 4.01. Does the true average strength appear to be different for the
two methods of surface preparation? State and test the relevant hypotheses using a
significance level of .05. What are you assuming about the shear strength distributions?
25. Low-back pain (LBP) is a serious health problem in many industrial settings. The
article “Isodynamic Evaluation of Trunk Muscles and Low-Back Pain Among Workers in
a Steel Factory” (Ergonomics, 1995: 2107-2117) reported the accompanying summary data
on lateral range of motion (degrees) for a sample of workers without a history of LBP and
another sample with a history of this malady.

Calculate a 90% confidence interval for the difference between population mean extent of
lateral motion for the two conditions. Does the interval suggest that population mean lateral
motion differs for the two conditions? Is the message different if a confidence level of 95%
is used?
29. The article “Effect of Internal Gas Pressure on the Compression Strength of Beverage
Cans and Plastic Bottles” (J. Testing and Evaluation, 1993: 129-131) includes the
accompanying data on compression strength (lb) for a sample of 12-oz aluminum cans
filled with strawberry drink and another sample filled with cola. Does the data suggest that
the extra carbonation of cola results in a higher average compression strength? Base your
answer on a P-value. What assumptions are necessary for your analysis?

30. The article “Flexure of Concrete Beams Reinforced with Advanced Composite
Orthogrids” (J. of Aerospace Engr., 1997: 7-15) gave the accompanying data on ultimate
load (kN) for two different types of beams.

a. Assuming that the underlying distributions are normal, calculate and interpret a 99% CI
for the difference between true average load for the fiberglass beams and that for the carbon
beams.
b. Does the upper limit of the interval you calculated in part (a) give a 99% upper
confidence bound for the difference between the two  s? If not, calculate such a bound.
Does it strongly suggest that true average load for the carbon beams is more than that for
the fiberglass beams? Explain.
32. The article cited in Exercise 34 in Section 7.3 gave the following summary data on
proportional stress limits for specimens constructed using two different types of wood:

Assuming that both samples were selected from normal distributions, carry out a test of
hypotheses to decide whether the true average proportional stress limit for red oak joints
exceeds that for Douglas fir joints by more than 1 MPa.
47. Is someone who switches brands because of a financial inducement less likely to remain
loyal than someone who switches without inducement? Let p1 and p2 denote the true
proportions of switchers to a certain brand with and without inducement, respectively, who
subsequently make a repeat purchase. Test H 0 : p1 = p2 versus H a : p1 − p2  0 using 
= .01 and the following data:

48. A sample of 300 urban adult residents of a particular state revealed 63 who favored
increasing the highway speed limit from 55 to 65 mph, whereas a sample of 180 rural
residents yielded 75 who favored the increase. Does this data indicate that the sentiment
for increasing the speed limit is different for the two groups of residents?
a. Test H 0 : p1 = p2 versus H a : p1  p2 using  = .05, where p1 refers to the urban
population.
b. If the true proportions favoring the increase are actually p1 = .20 (urban) and p2 = .40
(rural), what is the probability that H0 will be rejected using a level .05 test with m = 300,
n = 180?
49. It is thought that the front cover and the nature of the first question on mail surveys
influence the response rate. The article “The Impact of Cover Design and First Questions
on Response Rates for a Mail Survey of Skydivers” (Leisure Sciences, 1991: 67-76) tested
this theory by experimenting with different cover designs. One cover was plain; the other
used a picture of a skydiver. The researchers speculated that the return rate would be lower
for the plain cover.
Does this data support the researchers’ hypothesis? Test the relevant hypotheses using  =
.10 by first calculating a P-value.
50. Do teachers find their work rewarding and satisfying? The article “Work-Related
Attitudes” (Psychological Reports, 1991: 443-450) reports the results of a survey of 395
elementary school teachers and 266 high school teachers. Of the elementary school
teachers, 224 said they were very satisfied with their jobs, whereas 126 of the high school
teachers were very satisfied with their work. Estimate the difference between the
proportion of all elementary school teachers who are satisfied and all high school teachers
who are satisfied by calculating and interpreting a CI.
51. Olestra is a fat substitute approved by the FDA for use in snack foods. Because there
have been anecdotal reports of gastrointestinal problems associated with olestra
consumption, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment was carried out
to compare olestra potato chips to regular potato chips with respect to GI symptoms
(“Gastrointestinal Symptoms Following Consumption of Olestra or Regular Triglyceride
Potato Chips,” J. of the Amer. Med. Assoc, 1998: 150-152). Among 529 individuals in the
TG control group, 17.6% experienced an adverse GI event, whereas among the 563
individuals in the olestra treatment group, 15.8% experienced such an event.
a. Carry out a test of hypotheses at the 5% significance level to decide whether the
incidence rate of GI problems for those who consume olestra chips according to the
experimental regimen differs from the incidence rate for the TG control treatment.
b. If the true percentages for the two treatments were 15% and 20%, respectively, what
sample sizes (m = n) would be necessary to detect such a difference with probability .90?
52. Ionizing radiation is being given increasing attention as a method for preserving
horticultural products. The article “The Influence of Gamma-Irradiation on the Storage
Life of Red Variety Garlic” (J. of Food Processing and Preservation, 1983: 179-183)
reports that 153 of 180 irradiated garlic bulbs were marketable (no external sprouting,
rotting, or softening) 240 days after treatment, whereas only 119 of 180 untreated bulbs
were marketable after this length of time. Does this data suggest that ionizing radiation is
beneficial as far as marketability is concerned?