Comparison of Variances:

2 Ho: V 12 = V 2

*may be used as a preliminary test for comparing the means of the two samples.

Test Statistic:

s12 2 where subscripts are such that s12 s2 2 s2

v1 = n1 - 1, and v2 = n2 - 1 Alternative Hypothesis: Rejection Region:

2 Ha: V 12 ! V 2 2 Ha: V 12  V 2 2 Ha: V 12 z V 2

RR: F ! FD ,Q1 ,Q 2

RR: F ! FD ,Q 2 ,Q1 *

RR: F ! FD

,Q 1 ,Q 2

*note reversal of signs and subscripts!! Example: A study of two types of materials used in electrical conduits is to be conducted. The purpose of the study is to compare the strength of one to the other by measuring the load required to crush a 6 inch long piece of material to 40% of its original diameter. The primary question to be answered is Is P1 > P2? However, before this is done, we must 2 consider the question, Is V 12 = V 2 ? If the answer to this appears to be yes, then a pooled t procedure can be used. Otherwise, the Smith-Satterthwaite procedure should be employed. Material 1 n1 = 25 x1 = 380 lb s12 = 100 Material 2 n2 = 16 x2 = 370 lb s22 = 400

CIVL 7012/8012 Probabilistic Methods for Engineers