MA207 Final Exam - Takehome Portion

For each of the problems below, use the technology guide to perform a statistical analysis. You should justify your choice of method, including any assumptions made in the use of the method. You should indicate whether a two-tailed, left-tailed, or right-tailed analysis is appropriate, and, in hypothesis testing problems, state the null and alternative hypotheses. If the problem does not specify a level of significance, you should choose one.

Problem 1

In a poll conducted four weeks prior to an election on a random sample of 400 likely voters in a large city, 186 respondents indicate that they plan to vote yes on a certain ballot question. Is this sufficient evidence to conclude that less than half of the voters in the city support the measure?

Problem 2

Prior to enactment of antiterror legislation published data on graduate mathematics programs indicates that on average 32.1 applications from foreign students are received each year. Three years after the enactment of the legislation, a sample of 84 graduate programs shows an average of 21.3 foreign applicantswith a standard deviation of 12.1. Does this data support the claim that the number of foreign applicants has decreased?

Problem 3

During the tenure of a certain majority leader, a random sample of 375 votes showed that 94% of the votes cast by members of the majority party were in accordance with the preference of the majority leader. Following the appointment of a new majority leader, a sample of 350 votes showed conformance with the party line was 90%. Does the data suggest that the level of conformance with party leadership has changed significantly?