My Math Forum Probabilities

 Probability and Statistics Basic Probability and Statistics Math Forum

 November 12th, 2017, 09:59 AM #1 Newbie   Joined: Nov 2017 From: Bulgaria Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Probabilities Hello guys, I recently started my course on statistics and probabilities but I am helpless with the problem below so any help or small tip is highly appreciated! In an experiment with a new tranquilizer, the pulse rates (per minute) of 12 patients were determined before they were given the tranquilizer and again 5 minutes later, and their pulse rates were found to be reduced on the average by 7.2 beats with a standard deviation of 1.8. At the level of significance 0.05, do we have significant evidence that the mean pulse reduction with this tranquilizer is less than 9.0 beats? Thanks in advance!
 November 13th, 2017, 04:15 AM #2 Math Team   Joined: Jan 2015 From: Alabama Posts: 2,922 Thanks: 785 Though they don't use the word, the fact that you are given a average of 7.2 and a [I]standard deviation[/b] of 0.05 implies that this is a normal distribution. Since the sample mean and standard deviation are 7.2 and 0.05, and there were 12 measurements in the sample, the population mean and standard deviation are taken to be 7.2 and $\displaystyle 1.8\sqrt{12}= 6.235$, respectively. You want to find x such that the probability P(x< 0.9) is equal to 0.05. The "standard normal variable" is given by z= (x- 7.2)/6.235. Look that up in a table or app of the standard normal distribution. There is probably a table in your text book or you can use or there is a simple app at Z table - Normal Distribution Calculator Compatible with iPhone and iPad. Thanks from MeXiCaN
November 14th, 2017, 08:49 AM   #3
Math Team

Joined: Jul 2013
From: काठमाडौं, नेपाल

Posts: 876
Thanks: 60

Math Focus: सामान्य गणित
Quote:
 Originally Posted by Country Boy You want to find x such that the probability P(x< 0.9) is equal to 0.05

November 14th, 2017, 11:12 AM   #4
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 634
Thanks: 104

Quote:
 Originally Posted by MeXiCaN In an experiment with a new tranquilizer, the pulse rates (per minute) of 12 patients were determined before they were given the tranquilizer and again 5 minutes later, and their pulse rates were found to be reduced on the average by 7.2 beats with a standard deviation of 1.8. At the level of significance 0.05, do we have significant evidence that the mean pulse reduction with this tranquilizer is less than 9.0 beats?
This problem is not stated clearly and I think is incomplete. However here is what I think you would want in an elementary statistics class.

Let $\displaystyle \mu$ = the mean pulse rate per minute

The null and alternate hypotheses are:

$\displaystyle H_o: \mu = 9$
$\displaystyle H_a: \mu < 9$

$\displaystyle z = \dfrac{\overline{x}- \mu}{\dfrac{\sigma}{\sqrt{n}}}$

Substituting in we get:

$\displaystyle z = \dfrac{7.2-9}{\dfrac{1.8}{\sqrt{12}}} = -3.46$

This yields a $\displaystyle p-$value of 0.0003. With a $\displaystyle p-$value this small, the conclusion would be to reject the null hypothesis and conclude that there has been a reduction in mean pulse rate.

However (and here I disagree with Country Boy), any set of numbers (normal or abnormal!) has a mean and standard deviation. The question is whether this sample of 12 numbers comes from a population that is normally distributed. Since we don't know that, I would have wanted a larger sample size (greater than about 30) so that the Central Limit Theorem would kick in. So in this case, since we don't know the population is normal and we have a small sample size, I would want to see the 12 actual measurements. At that point I would draw lots of pictures (including a normal quantile plot) to assess whether it is safe to assume that the sample comes from a normal population.

 November 15th, 2017, 10:40 AM #5 Newbie   Joined: Nov 2017 From: Bulgaria Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 I agree with you! Since P-value is less than 0.05 then we should reject the null hypothesis and assume that the mean pulse rate reduction is less than 9!

 Thread Tools Display Modes Linear Mode

 Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post Monox D. I-Fly Probability and Statistics 2 October 17th, 2016 09:00 PM RifkiNada Algebra 2 November 24th, 2012 04:32 AM safyras Algebra 8 April 5th, 2011 12:48 PM Zerazar Advanced Statistics 3 April 15th, 2010 09:17 PM deadeyedick Algebra 2 December 19th, 2009 03:57 AM

 Contact - Home - Forums - Cryptocurrency Forum - Top