In: Statistics and Probability
Bill Alther is a zoologist who studies Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna).† Suppose that in a remote part of the Grand Canyon, a random sample of six of these birds was caught, weighed, and released. The weights (in grams) were as follows.
3.7 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 3.1 |
The sample mean is x = 3.75 grams. Let x be a random variable representing weights of hummingbirds in this part of the Grand Canyon. We assume that x has a normal distribution and σ = 0.74 gram. Suppose it is known that for the population of all Anna's hummingbirds, the mean weight is μ = 4.55 grams. Do the data indicate that the mean weight of these birds in this part of the Grand Canyon is less than 4.55 grams? Use α = 0.05.
(a) What is the level of significance?
State the null and alternate hypotheses. Will you use a
left-tailed, right-tailed, or two-tailed test?
H0: μ < 4.55 g; H1: μ = 4.55 g; left-tailed
H0: μ = 4.55 g; H1: μ > 4.55 g; right-tailed
H0: μ = 4.55 g; H1: μ ≠ 4.55 g; two-tailed
H0: μ = 4.55 g; H1: μ < 4.55 g; left-tailed
(b) What sampling distribution will you use? Explain the
rationale for your choice of sampling distribution.
The standard normal, since we assume that x has a normal distribution with unknown σ.
The standard normal, since we assume that x has a normal distribution with known σ.
The Student's t, since n is large with unknown σ.
The Student's t, since we assume that x has a normal distribution with known σ.
Compute the z value of the sample test statistic.
(Round your answer to two decimal places.)
(c) Find (or estimate) the P-value. (Round your
answer to four decimal places.)
Sketch the sampling distribution and show the area
corresponding to the P-value.
(d) Based on your answers in parts (a) to (c), will you
reject or fail to reject the null hypothesis? Are the data
statistically significant at level α?
At the α = 0.05 level, we reject the null hypothesis and
conclude the data are statistically significant.
At the α = 0.05 level, we reject the null hypothesis and conclude the data are not statistically significant.
At the α = 0.05 level, we fail to reject the null hypothesis and conclude the data are statistically significant.
At the α = 0.05 level, we fail to reject the null
hypothesis and conclude the data are not statistically
significant.
(e) State your conclusion in the context of the
application.
There is sufficient evidence at the 0.05 level to conclude that humming birds in the Grand Canyon weigh less than 4.55 grams.
There is insufficient evidence at the 0.05 level to conclude that humming birds in the Grand Canyon weigh less than 4.55 grams.
Solution :
(a)
Level of significance = = 0.05
This is the left tailed test .
The null and alternative hypothesis is ,
H0 : = 4.55
Ha : < 4.55
(b)
The standard normal, since we assume that x has a normal distribution with known σ.
(c)
Test statistic = z
= ( - ) / / n
= (3.75 - 4.55) / 0.74 / 6
= -2.65
P(z < -2.65) = 0.004
P-value = 0.004
= 0.05
P-value <
Reject the null hypothesis .
(d)
At the α = 0.05 level, we reject the null hypothesis and conclude the data are statistically significant.
(e)
There is sufficient evidence at the 0.05 level to conclude that humming birds in the Grand Canyon weigh less than 4.55 grams.