9.

2 Testing the Difference

Between Two Means:
Using the t Test

Bluman, Chapter 9 1
This the last day the class meets before
spring break starts.
Please make sure to be present for the test
or make appropriate arrangements to take
the test before leaving for spring break

Bluman, Chapter 9 2
9.2 Testing the Difference Between
Two Means: Using the t Test
Formula for the t test for comparing two means from
independent populations with unequal variances

t
 X 1  X 2    1  2 
s12 s22

n1 n2

where the degrees of freedom are equal to the smaller

of n1 – 1 or n2 – 1.

Bluman, Chapter 9 3
Testing the Difference Between
Two Means: Using the t Test
 There is a different formula for the t test for comparing
two means from independent populations with equal
variances. To determine whether two sample variances
are equal, the researcher can use an F test.

 Note, however, that not all statisticians are in

agreement about using the F test before using the t
test. Some believe that conducting the F and t tests at
the same level of significance will change the overall
level of significance of the t test. Their reasons are
beyond the scope of this textbook. Because of this, we
will assume that 1  2 in this textbook.

Bluman, Chapter 9 4
Chapter 9
Testing the Difference Between
Two Means, Two Proportions,
and Two Variances

Section 9-2
Example 9-4
Page #485
Bluman, Chapter 9 5
Example 9-4: Farm Sizes
The average size of a farm in Indiana County,
Pennsylvania, is 191 acres. The average size of a farm in
Greene County, Pennsylvania, is 199 acres. Assume the
data were obtained from two samples with standard
deviations of 38 and 12 acres, respectively, and sample
sizes of 8 and 10, respectively. Can it be concluded at
α = 0.05 that the average size of the farms in the two
counties is different? Assume the populations are
normally distributed.

Step 1: State the hypotheses and identify the claim.

H0: μ1 = μ2 and H1: μ1  μ2 (claim)

Bluman, Chapter 9 6
Example 9-4: Farm Sizes
Step 2: Find the critical values.
Since the test is two-tailed, a = 0.05, and the
variances are unequal, the degrees of freedom
are the smaller of n1 – 1 or n2 – 1. In this case, the
degrees of freedom are 8 – 1 = 7. Hence, from
Table F, the critical values are -2.365 and 2.365.

Step 3: Find the test value.

t
 X 1  X 2    1  2  191  199    0 

2 2
s1 s2 382 122
 
n1 n2 8 10

 0.57
Bluman, Chapter 9 7
Example 9-4: Farm Sizes
Step 4: Make the decision.
Do not reject the null hypothesis.

Step 5: Summarize the results.

There is not enough evidence to support the claim
that the average size of the farms is different.

Bluman, Chapter 9 8
Confidence Intervals for the
Difference Between Two Means
Formula for the t confidence interval for the difference
between two means from independent populations with
unequal variances
s12 s22
X 1  X 2   t 2 
n1 n2
  1  2 

s12 s22
  X 1  X 2   t 2 
n1 n2

d.f. smaller value of n1 – 1 or n2 – 1.

Bluman, Chapter 9 9
Chapter 9
Testing the Difference Between
Two Means, Two Proportions,
and Two Variances

Section 9-2
Example 9-5
Page #478
Bluman, Chapter 9 10
Example 9-5: Confidence Intervals
Find the 95% confidence interval for the difference
between the means for the data in Example 9–4.
s12 s22
X 1  X 2   t 2 
n1 n2
 1  2

s12 s22
  X 1  X 2   t 2 
n1 n2

382 122
191  199   2.365   1  2
8 10
382 122
 191  199   2.365 
8 10
41.0  1  2  25.0

Bluman, Chapter 9 11
 Zero is within the interval therefore the
difference of zero which is hypothesized is
within non-critical interval.
 The decision is not to reject the null
hypothesize.

Bluman, Chapter 9 12
On your own
 Study the examples in  Sec 9.2 page 487
section 9.2  #1, 5, 11, 15, 17

Bluman, Chapter 9 13