Lesson Testing the Difference Between

Two Means of Independent

1 Samples: Using the t Test

The basic concept of hypothesis testing was explained in Modules 1-3. With
the z and t tests, a sample mean can be compared to a specific population mean to
determine whether the null hypothesis
should be rejected.

There are, however, many instances

when researchers wish to compare two
sample means, using experimental and
control groups. For example, two different
brands of fertilizer might be tested to see
whether one is better than the other for
growing plants. Or two brands of cough
syrup might be tested to see whether one
brand is more effective than the other.

In the comparison of two means,

the same basic steps for hypothesis testing shown in Modules 1-3 are used.

To compare two means or two proportions, you work with two groups. The
groups are classified either as independent or dependent (matched pairs).
Independent groups mean that the two samples taken are independent, that is,
sample values selected from one population are not related in any way to sample
values selected from the other population. Dependent or matched pairs consist of
two samples that are dependent. The parameter tested using matched pairs is the
population mean. The parameters tested using independent groups are either
population means or population proportions.

A t test is used to test the difference between means when the two samples are independent and population and when the

(X¯1 − X¯2 ) − (μ1 − μ2 )

t=
s12s+2
√ 2
k1k2

Where

Tℎe degrees of freedom are equal to tℎe smaller k1 − 1 or k2 − 1.

 Where X¯1 − X¯2 is the observed difference between sample means and where
the expected value μ1 − μ2 is equal to zero (0) when no difference between population
means is
s2 2s
2
hypothesized. The denominator √ 1 + is the standard error of the difference between two
n1 n2
means. Since mathematical derivation of the standard error is somewhat complicated, it will
be omitted here.

Note: These are the null and alternative hypothesis to be used depending to the problem.

SAMPLE PROBLEM #1:

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.
SOLUTION:
Step 1 State the hypotheses and identify the claim.

H0: μ1 = μ2 akd H1: μ1 ≠ μ2 (CLAIM)

Step 2 Find the critical value. Since the test is two-tailed, since α = 0.05, and
since the variances are unequal, the degrees of freedom are the smaller
k1 − 1 or k2 − 1. In this case, d. f. = 8 − 1 = 7. Hence, from Table F, the
critical values are z = 2.365 and -2.365.

Step 3 Compute the test value.

(X¯1 − X¯2 ) − (μ1 − (191 − 199) − 0

μ2 ) = = −0.57
t=
s2 s2 2
122
1 2 √38
8 + 10
√ +
k1 k2

Step 4 Make the decision. Do not reject the null hypothesis since −0.57 >
−2.365.

Step 5 Summarize the results. There is not enough evidence to support the
claim that the average size of the farms is different.
SAMPLE PROBLEM #2:

Ages of Homes

Whiting, Indiana, leads the “Top 100 Cities with the Oldest Houses” list with
the average age of houses being 62.1 years. Farther down the list resides Franklin,
Pennsylvania, with an average house age of 55.6 years. Researchers selected a
random sample of 20 houses in each city and obtained the following statistics. At
α = 0.05., can it be concluded that the houses in Whiting are older?

Whiting Franklin
Mean age 62.1 years 55.6 years
Standard deviation 5.4 years 3.9 years

SOLUTION:
Step 1 State the hypotheses and identify the claim.

H0: μ1 = μ2 akd H1: μ1 > μ2 (CLAIM)

Step 2 Find the critical value. Since the test is right-tailed, since α = 0.05, and
since the variances are unequal, the degrees of freedom are the smaller
k1 − 1 or k2 − 1. In this case they have equal samples, d. f. = 20 − 1 = 19.
Hence, from Table F, the critical value is z = 1.729.

Step 3 Compute the test value.

(X¯1 − X¯2 ) − (μ1 − (62.1 − 55.6) − 0

μ2 ) = = 4.36
t=
s2 s2 2
3.92
1 2 √5.4
20 + 20
√ +
k1 k2

Step 4 Make the decision. Reject the null hypothesis since 4.36 > 1.729.

Step 5 Summarize the results. There is enough evidence to conclude that the
houses in Whiting are older.

SOLVING USING EXCEL (Better try this!)

Step by Step

Testing the Difference Between Two Means: Independent Samples

Excel has a two-sample t test included in the Data Analysis Add-in. The following
example shows how to perform a t test for the difference between two means.
Example:

Test the claim that there is no difference between population means based on these
sample data. Assume the population variances are not equal. Use α = 0.05.

Set A 32 38 37 36 36 34 39 36 37 42
Set B 30 36 35 36 31 34 37 33 32

1. Enter the 10-number data set A into column A.

2. Enter the 9-number data set B into column B.
3. Select the Data tab from the toolbar. Then select Data Analysis.
4. In the Data Analysis box, under Analysis Tools select t-test: Two-Sample
Assuming Unequal Variances, and click [OK].
5. In Input, type in the Variable 1 Range: A1:A10 and the Variable 2 Range: B1:B9.
6. Type 0 for the Hypothesized Mean Difference.
7. Type 0.05 for Alpha.
8. In Output options, type D9 for the Output Range, then click [OK].

ASSESSMENT 4.1

NAME: SCORE:
YR. & SECTION: DATE SUBMITTED:

Directions: Read and analyze each statement carefully and follow each instruction.
WRITE your answers on the attached answer sheets and submit it during your
schedule.

Part I. Applying the concepts (1 pts each.)

Too Long on the Telephone

A company collects data on the lengths of telephone calls made by employees

in two different divisions. The mean and standard deviation for the sales division are
10.26 and 8.56, respectively. The mean and standard deviation for the shipping and
receiving division are 6.93 and 4.93, respectively. A hypothesis test was run, and
the computer output follows.

Degrees of freedom = 56
Test statistic t = 1.89566
 Critical value t = -2.0037, 2.0037
P-value = 0.06317
Significance level = 0.05

1. Are the samples independent or dependent?

2. How many samples were in the study?
3. Which number from the output is compared to the critical value to check if the
null hypothesis should be rejected?
4. Which number from the output is compared to the significance level or alpha to
check if the null hypothesis should be rejected?
5. Was a right-, left-, or two-tailed test done? Why?
6. What are your conclusions?

Part II. Test the difference between two means of independent samples for the
following problems. Use t test. 10 pts each.

1. Assessed Home Values A real estate agent wishes to determine whether tax
assessors and real estate appraisers agree on the values of homes. A random
sample of the two groups appraised 10homes. The data are shown and expressed in
dollars. Is there a significant difference in the values of the homes for each group?
Let α=0.05.
Real Estate Appraisers Tax Assessors

X¯ 1 = X¯2 =
83,256 88,354
s1 = 3256 s2 = 2341

k1 = 10 k2 = 10

2. Communication Times According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American

Time Use Survey (ATUS), married persons spend an average of 8 minutes per day
on phone calls, mail, and e-mail, while single persons spend an average of 14
minutes per day on these same tasks. Based on the following information, is there
sufficient evidence to conclude that single persons spend, on average, a greater
time each day communicating? Use the 0.05 level of significance.
Single Married
Sample size 26 20
Sample variance 8.41 10.24

Note: Be careful of the given in the problem. Understand what needs to be used. ;)

~ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything. James 1:2-4 ~

References
Bluman, A. G. (2009). Elementary Statistics. In A. G. Bluman, Elementary Statistics
A Step by Step Approach (pp. 471-487). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Kathy Chu, P. S. (2013, December 30). Elementary Statistics. pp. 351-352.
Houston, Texas, United States ofAmerica.