In: Statistics and Probability
For water to be considered safe, the average amount of radioactivity in the water has to be less than 5 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). A local environmental group wants to be sure that the local water company provides the local university with safe water. If the water is determined to be unsafe, the local water company must determine the cause and correct it. A random sample of water samples from the university is obtained and the amount of radioactivity in each is measured.
a) State the null and alternative hypotheses. Write '≤' as '<=', '≥' as '>=', and '≠' as '<>'.
b) In context, explain what the Type I error is.
c) In context, explain what the Type II error is.
d) Which error is worse for the environment, a Type I error or a Type II error? Why?
e) Which error is worse for the water company, a Type I error or a Type II error? Why?