Hypothesis Testing

State the null and alternative hypotheses. State whether the test is two-tailed, right-tailed or left-
tailed.

1. A CEO claims that the batteries will last an average of 300 hours under normal use. A
researcher randomly selected 80 batteries from the production line and tested these
batteries. The tested batteries had a mean life span of 270 hours with a standard deviation
of 50.
Answer: H0:  = 300 H1:  ≠ 300 Two-tailed test.

2. The college bookstore tells students that the average cost of a textbook is $52 with a
standard deviation of $4.50. A group of students thinks that the average cost is higher. In
order to test the bookstore’s claim, students select a random sample of 100 and the sample
mean is $52.80.
Answer: H0:  = 52 H1:  > 52 Right-tailed test.

3. A researcher is studying the effects of radical exercise program on knee surgery patients.
There is a good chance the therapy will improve recovery time, but there’s also the
possibility it will make it worse. Average recovery times for knee surgery patients is 8.2
weeks.
Answer: H0:  = 8.2 H1:  ≠ 8.2 Two tailed test

4. A high-end computer manufacturer sets the retail cost of their computers based in the
manufacturing cost, which is $1800. However, the company thinks there are hidden costs
and that the average cost to manufacture the computers is actually much more. The
company randomly selects 40 computers from its facilities and finds that the mean cost to
produce a computer is $1950 with a standard deviation of $ 500.
Answer: H0:   1800 H1:   1800 Right-tailed test.

5. A medical researcher is interested in finding out whether a new medication will have any
side effects. The researcher is particularly concerned with the pulse rate of the patients who
take the medication. The pulse rate increase, decrease, or remain unchanged after a patient
takes the medication? The researcher knows that the mean pulse rate for the population
under study is 82 beats per minute.
Answer: H0:  = 82 H1:  ≠ 82 Two-tailed test.

6. A chemist invents an additive to increase the life of an automobile battery. The mean
lifetime of the automobile battery without the additive is 36 months.
Answer: H0:  = 36 H1:  > 36 Right-tailed test.

7. A manufacturer of electronic kits has found that the mean time required for novices to
assemble its new circuit tester is 3 hours, with a standard deviation of 0.20 hours. A
consultant has developed a new instructional booklet intended to reduce the time an
inexperienced kit builder will need to assemble the device.
Answer: H0:  = 3 or H1:  < 3 Left tailed test