An environmental agency is testing the lifespan of two different types of industrial bio-degradable filters. A random sample of 80 filters of Type A was tested until failure. The lifespans, a a\,a hours, are summarised below:
∑a=5200and∑a2=340 844 \sum a = 5200 \quad \text{and} \quad \sum a^2 = 340\,844 ∑a=5200and∑a2=340844Calculate unbiased estimates for the mean and variance of the lifespan of Type A filters.
A separate random sample of 80 filters of Type B was tested under identical conditions. The lifespans, b b\,b hours, yielded the following summary statistics:
bˉ=67.8andsb2=45.2 \bar{b} = 67.8 \quad \text{and} \quad s_b^2 = 45.2 bˉ=67.8andsb2=45.2Test, at the 1% level of significance, whether there is a difference between the mean lifespan of Type A filters and Type B filters. State your hypotheses clearly.
Explain why it was necessary to use the Central Limit Theorem in the context of this test.
State an assumption made regarding the population variances to conduct the test in part (b).
Practise Edexcel A Level Maths The Normal Distribution with exam-style questions for A Level Maths. 439 questions, matched to the Edexcel A Level Maths (9MA0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
