Answer:
There is not enough evidence to conclude that the mean pH level is 8.5.
Step-by-step explanation:
We are given the following in the question:
Population mean, μ = 8.5
Sample mean, [tex]\bar{x}[/tex] = 8.42
Sample size, n = 49
Alpha, α = 0.05
Sample standard deviation, s = 0.16
First, we design the null and the alternate hypothesis
[tex]H_{0}: \mu = 8.5\\H_A: \mu \neq 8.5[/tex]
We use two-tailed t test to perform this hypothesis.
Formula:
[tex]t_{stat} = \displaystyle\frac{\bar{x} - \mu}{\frac{s}{\sqrt{n}} }[/tex]
Putting all the values, we have
[tex]t_{stat} = \displaystyle\frac{8.42 - 8.5}{\frac{0.16}{\sqrt{49}} } = -3.5[/tex]
Now,
[tex]t_{critical} \text{ at 0.05 level of significance, 48 degree of freedom } = \pm 2.01[/tex]
Since, the test statistic does not lies in the acceptance region, we fail to accept the null hypothesis and reject it. We accept the alternate hypothesis.
There is not enough evidence to conclude that the mean pH level is 8.5.