Philippine Normal University

Faculty of Behavioral and Social Science

Basic Statistical Method in the Social Sciences

Z-Test for 2 Sample Means

Directions: Read carefully the question and choose the best answer on each item. Encircle your
answer. Goodluck!

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The sugar level among individuals in two different cities are known to be normally
distributed each with population standard deviations of 15. A scientist wants to know if the
mean of sugar level between individuals in city A and city B are different, so they select a
simple random sample of 20 individuals from each city and records their sugar levels. To
test this, they perform a two-sample z-test at significance level α = 0.05 using the following
steps:

Step 1: Gather the sample data.

Suppose there are the two simple random samples with the following information:

x1 (sample 1 mean sugar level) = 100.65

n1 (sample 1 size) = 20
x2 (sample 2 sugar level) = 108.8
n2 (sample 2 size) = 20

Step 2: Define the hypotheses.

Perform the two-sample z-test with the following hypotheses:

H0: μ1 = μ2 (the two-population means are equal)

HA: μ1 ≠ μ2 (the two-population means are not equal)

Step 3: Calculate the z test statistic. The z test statistic is calculated as:
 1. What are the values of x1– x2?
a. 101.66-109.8
b. 100.65-108.8
c. 100.56-178.8
d. 110.65-180.8

2. What are the values of √σ1^2/n1 + σ2^2/n2?

a. √15^2/20 + 15^2/20
b. √15^2/30 + 15^2/20
c. √16^2/30 + 16^2/20
d. √16^2/20 + 16^2/40

3. With the following values, compute the z-value.

Use this formula:

a. -1.817
b. -1.243
c. 1.718
d. -1.718

4. According to the Z Score to P Value Calculator, the two-tailed p-value associated

with z = -1.718 is 0.0858. Since the p-value (0.0858) is not less than the significance
level (.05), what is the decision rule?

a. Accept the alternative hypothesis

b. Fail to reject null hypothesis
c. Accept both hypothesis
d. Reject hypothesis

5. Which of the following is NOT an assumption of Z-test for 2 sample tests?

a. The data from each population is discrete.

b. Each sample is a simple random sample from the population of interest.
c. The data in each population is normally distributed.
d. The population standard deviations should be known.
Macatuno, Francheska C.
ANSWER KEY:
z = (x1– x2) / √σ12/n1 + σ22/n2)
z = (100.65-108.8) / √15^2/20 + 15^2/20)
z = -1.718
1. What are the values of x1– x2?
a. 101.66-109.8
b. 100.65-108.8
c. 100.56-178.8
d. 110.65-180.8

2. What are the values of √σ1^2/n1 + σ2^2/n2?

a. √15^2/20 + 15^2/20
b. √15^2/30 + 15^2/20
c. √16^2/30 + 16^2/20
d. √16^2/20 + 16^2/40

3. With the following values, compute the z-value.

Use this formula:
a. -1.817
b. -1.243
c. 1.718
d. -1.718

4. According to the Z Score to P Value Calculator, the two-tailed p-value associated

with z = -1.718 is 0.0858. Since the p-value (0.0858) is not less than the significance level
(.05), what is the decision rule?

a. Accept the alternative hypothesis

b. Fail to reject null hypothesis
c. Accept both hypothesis
d. Reject hypothesis

5. Which of the following is NOT an assumption of Z-test for 2 sample tests?

a. The data from each population is discrete.

b. Each sample is a simple random sample from the population of interest.
c. The data in each population is normally distributed.
d. The population standard deviations should be known.