Comparing samples with a t-test

How can you be sure a sample is the same or different compared to a population or other sample? As you just learned sample independence can be tested with a T.TEST()!

T.TEST(range1, range2, tails, type)

In this exercise you are examining data from a farm. Prior to introducing a new fertilizer, 10 plant heights were measured. After the new fertilizer was used another 10 plants were measured. You will perform a t-test to understand if the plant heights in the samples are in fact different. This is a two-tailed test because the heights are either above or below the original sample, "tails" to either side of the original distribution. The type is 2 because the samples are not from the same subjects but they have the same variance. Had they been the same plants before and after fertilizer treatment, it would be a "paired" t-test which is type 1.

This exercise is part of the course

Introduction to Statistics in Google Sheets

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Exercise instructions

  • In E7, use T.TEST() to get a p-value for the two samples.
  • Type REJECT in E8 if the p-value is less than 0.05. If not, type FAIL TO REJECT.

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