CONFIDENTIAL CDCS/JUNE 2024/STA210

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

COURSE : STATISTICAL METHODS

COURSE CODE : STA 210
DATE : JUNE 2024
DURATION TIME : 4 DAYS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. This question paper consists of FOUR (4) questions.

2. You are not allowed to copy or discuss with your friends.
3. The time to answer the test is FOUR (4) days.

4. Answer ALL questions in English.

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

This paper consists of 4 printed pages

© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL CDCS/JUNE 2024/STA210

QUESTION 1
A school is interested in comparing the effectiveness of two different teaching methods on
student performance in mathematics. Method A is a traditional lecture-based approach, while
Method B incorporates interactive activities and group work. To determine which method is
more effective, the school conducts an experiment with two groups of students. At the end of
the term, all students take the same standardized math test. The sample mean test score for
Method A is 75, with a sample standard deviation of 6. For Method B, the sample mean test
score is 80, with a sample standard deviation of 8.
a) Construct a 99% confidence interval for the mean test score of Method B.
(4 marks)
b) Calculate 98% confidence interval for the difference in the mean test score between
Method A and B. Can we conclude that there is a different in teaching method between
A and B?
(6 marks)

QUESTION 2
a) A manufacturing company produces machine parts, and it is crucial that these parts meet
strict quality standards. The company is interested in estimating the variance of the
dimensions of a specific part to ensure consistency in production. There are 30 parts
randomly selected from the production line. The sample variance is taken to be 0.0025
mm2. Construct a 95% confidence interval for the population variance of the part
dimensions.
(4 marks)

b) XYZ Electronics sends out the survey to a random sample of 500 customers who
purchased the smart thermostat. Out of the 500 customers, 390 respond "Yes" indicating
they are satisfied with the product. Determine the 99% confidence interval for the proportion
of customers who are not satisfied with the product.
(5 marks)

c) A manufacturing company, ABC Motors, produces car engines in two different plants, Plant
A and Plant B. The company wants to ensure that the variability in engine performance is
consistent across both plants. Specifically, they want to test if there is a significant
difference in the variances of the engine horsepower produced by the two plants. ABC
Motors collects a random sample of eight and ten engine horsepower measurements from
Plant A and Plant B. The sample variance is given by 25 for Plant A and 20 for Plant B. At
5% significance level, can we conclude that there is a significant difference in the variances
of engine horsepower between Plant A and Plant B?
(6 marks)
QUESTION 3
a) A manufacturer of washing machines, Brand A, claims that the proportion of its washing
machines needing repairs in the first five years of operation is not more than that of
another brand, Brand B. A random sample of 100 washing machines of each brand was
selected, and it was found that 15 and 21 machines needed repairs for Brand A and
Brand B, respectively. At a 2.5% significance level, do you think the manufacturer’s claim
is true? Use the p-value approach.
(8 marks)
2
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL CDCS/JUNE 2024/STA210

b) What is the meaning of the p-value calculated above? Explain in your own words.
(2 marks)
QUESTION 4
a) A study was carried out to investigate the level of Mathematics coursework taken (1
=Algebra, 2=Geometry, 3=Calculus) by 63 high school seniors and it’s effect on their ACT
test score. Some of the information is given below.

Coursework Mean test score, 𝑦̅𝑖 Number of high school seniors

Algebra 10.16 15
Geometry 14.76 26
Calculus 14.99 22

Given that SStotal = 371.84

Construct the ANOVA table for the above study.
(5 marks)
b) An environmental scientist monitors the levels of contaminants in the emissions from the
smokestacks of three steel mills. Contaminant levels are measured at ten randomly
chosen times for each mill. The goal is to determine if there are significant differences in
the mean levels of contaminants produced by the factories, and to identify which means
differ.
Factory A Factory B Factory C
101 72 101
65 68 89
84 83 110
99 84 89
70 79 74
82 84 74
73 75 96
87 75 82
97 70 83
96 68 82

Analyze the data above using IBM SPSS. Attach the relevant output to support each of your
answers.
At a 5% significance level, determine if there are significant differences in the mean
contaminants’ levels produced by the factories. If there are significant differences, identify
which pairs of factories have different mean contaminants levels.
(10 marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

3
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL