Learning | 100% PASS
1. A lettuce grower claims that the mean weight of her heads of lettuce is 2
pounds. You believe that the mean weight is less than 2 pounds. What are
the null and alternative hypotheses?
A) H₀: μ = 2, Hₐ: μ > 2
B) H₀: μ = 2, Hₐ: μ < 2
C) H₀: μ ≥ 2, Hₐ: μ < 2
D) H₀: μ ≤ 2, Hₐ: μ > 2
Correct Answer: H₀: μ = 2, Hₐ: μ < 2
Rationale: The null hypothesis is always the claim being tested (the grower's
claim that the mean is 2 pounds). The alternative hypothesis reflects your
belief that the mean is less than 2 pounds.
2. According to Time magazine, in April 2014 the average gas price in the
U.S. was $3.70. A financial analyst believes that the average gas price is
different today. What are the null and alternative hypotheses?
A) H₀: μ = 3.70, Hₐ: μ > 3.70
B) H₀: μ = 3.70, Hₐ: μ < 3.70
C) H₀: μ = 3.70, Hₐ: μ ≠ 3.70
D) H₀: μ ≠ 3.70, Hₐ: μ = 3.70
Correct Answer: H₀: μ = 3.70, Hₐ: μ ≠ 3.70
Rationale: The analyst believes the average is different today (could be
higher or lower). The "different" claim indicates a two-tailed test with Hₐ: μ ≠
3.70.
,3. According to the Wall Street Journal, in 2011 the average cable bill was
$128 per month. You believe that the mean cable bill is higher today. What
are the null and alternative hypotheses?
A) H₀: μ = 128, Hₐ: μ > 128
B) H₀: μ = 128, Hₐ: μ < 128
C) H₀: μ = 128, Hₐ: μ ≠ 128
D) H₀: μ ≥ 128, Hₐ: μ < 128
Correct Answer: H₀: μ = 128, Hₐ: μ > 128
Rationale: The belief that the mean is higher today indicates a right-tailed
test, with the alternative hypothesis Hₐ: μ > 128. The null hypothesis is that
the mean is still $128.
4. A newspaper in a certain city had a circulation of 19,000 per day in 2010.
You believe that the newspaper's circulation is different than 19,000 today.
What are the null and alternative hypotheses?
A) H₀: μ = 19,000, Hₐ: μ > 19,000
B) H₀: μ = 19,000, Hₐ: μ < 19,000
C) H₀: μ = 19,000, Hₐ: μ ≠ 19,000
D) H₀: μ ≠ 19,000, Hₐ: μ = 19,000
Correct Answer: H₀: μ = 19,000, Hₐ: μ ≠ 19,000
Rationale: The belief that the circulation is different today indicates a two-
tailed test. The null hypothesis is that the circulation is still 19,000.
, 5. A certain website had 6,000 hits per month a year ago. You believe that
the number of hits per month is less than that today. What are the null and
alternative hypotheses?
A) H₀: μ = 6,000, Hₐ: μ > 6,000
B) H₀: μ = 6,000, Hₐ: μ < 6,000
C) H₀: μ = 6,000, Hₐ: μ ≠ 6,000
D) H₀: μ ≥ 6,000, Hₐ: μ < 6,000
Correct Answer: H₀: μ = 6,000, Hₐ: μ < 6,000
Rationale: The belief that hits are less than 6,000 indicates a left-tailed test
with Hₐ: μ < 6,000. The null hypothesis is that the mean is still 6,000.
6. Define a Type I error in hypothesis testing.
A) Rejecting a true null hypothesis
B) Failing to reject a false null hypothesis
C) Rejecting a false null hypothesis
D) Failing to reject a true null hypothesis
Correct Answer: Rejecting a true null hypothesis
Rationale: A Type I error occurs when the null hypothesis is true but we reject
it. This is also known as a false positive.
7. Define a Type II error in hypothesis testing.
A) Rejecting a true null hypothesis
B) Failing to reject a false null hypothesis
C) Rejecting a false null hypothesis