Questions: A computer manufacturer estimates that its cheapest screens will last less than 2.8 years. A random sample of 61 of these screens has a mean life of 2.5 years. The population is normally distributed with a population standard deviation of 0.88 years. At a=0.02, can you support the organization's claim using the p-value?
Transcript text: A computer manufacturer estimates that its cheapest screens will last less than 2.8 years. A random sample of 61 of these screens has a mean life of 2.5 years. The population is normally distributed with a population standard deviation of 0.88 years. At $a=0.02$, can you support the organization's claim using the $p$-value?
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Given Information
We are testing the claim that the mean life of the cheapest screens is less than \(2.8\) years. The relevant parameters are:
Sample mean (\(\bar{x}\)): \(2.5\) years
Hypothesized population mean (\(\mu_0\)): \(2.8\) years
Population standard deviation (\(\sigma\)): \(0.88\) years
Sample size (\(n\)): \(61\)
Significance level (\(\alpha\)): \(0.02\)
Step 2: Calculate Standard Error
The standard error (\(SE\)) is calculated using the formula:
\[
SE = \frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{n}} = \frac{0.88}{\sqrt{61}} \approx 0.1127
\]
Step 3: Calculate Test Statistic
The Z-test statistic is calculated using the formula:
\[
Z = \frac{\bar{x} - \mu_0}{SE} = \frac{2.5 - 2.8}{0.1127} \approx -2.6626
\]
Step 4: Calculate P-value
For a left-tailed test, the p-value is determined as:
\[
P = T(z) \approx 0.0039
\]
Step 5: Decision Rule
We compare the p-value to the significance level:
If \(P < \alpha\), we reject the null hypothesis.
If \(P \geq \alpha\), we fail to reject the null hypothesis.
In this case:
\[
0.0039 < 0.02
\]
Thus, we reject the null hypothesis.
Step 6: Conclusion
Since we reject the null hypothesis, we support the claim that the mean life of the cheapest screens is less than \(2.8\) years.
Final Answer
The claim can be supported. The p-value is \(0.0039\), which is less than \(\alpha = 0.02\). Therefore, we reject the null hypothesis, and the claim is the alternative hypothesis and is supported.
\(\boxed{\text{Yes, the claim can be supported.}}\)