54764712
A community college compares the time students need to complete the same computer-based registration task using two interface designs. Independent random samples are used, and a \(95\%\) confidence interval for \(\mu_A-\mu_B\) is \((-1.2,3.4)\,\text{s}\).
Interpret the interval in context. Does the interval provide convincing evidence that the two population mean completion times differ? Explain.
Hints
- Keep the meaning of the subtraction \(\mu_A-\mu_B\) visible when reading both endpoints.
- Ask which value would represent no population mean difference at all.
- Decide whether that no-difference value is among the plausible values given by the interval.
Solution
1. The interval estimates the difference \(\mu_A-\mu_B\) in population mean completion times.
2. We are \(95\%\) confident that \(\mu_A-\mu_B\) is between \(-1.2\,\text{s}\) and \(3.4\,\text{s}\).
3. Because \(0\) is inside the interval, a population mean difference of \(0\) is plausible at this confidence level.
4. Therefore, the interval does not provide convincing evidence that the two population mean completion times differ.
Answer
We are \(95\%\) confident that Interface A's population mean completion time is from \(1.2\,\text{s}\) lower to \(3.4\,\text{s}\) higher than Interface B's. Because the interval contains \(0\), it does not provide convincing evidence of a difference in the population means.
