An urban highway has a speed limit of 50 km/ h

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter karush
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Limit Speed
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around statistical analysis related to a speed limit of 50 km/h on an urban highway. Participants explore the calculation of z-scores, the mean speed, and hypothesis testing in the context of a campaign aimed at reducing speeds. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and statistical methods.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assume that the speed limit of 50 km/h can be expressed as $\displaystyle\frac{km}{h}$ and calculate a z-score based on this assumption.
  • One participant calculates the mean speed using the z-score of approximately 0.524401, leading to a mean of about 44.8 km/h.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about using Wolfram Alpha (W|A) for calculations and questions the relevance of previous examples involving the error function.
  • There is a proposal for a hypothesis test where the null hypothesis states that the mean speed after a campaign is less than 44.8 km/h, indicating a one-tailed test.
  • A participant calculates a test statistic of -1.75 and suggests that this indicates the campaign was effective, although this is not universally agreed upon.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and confidence regarding the statistical methods discussed. While some calculations and hypotheses are presented, there is no consensus on the effectiveness of the campaign or the interpretation of the results.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion about specific statistical methods and calculations, indicating potential gaps in understanding or application of the concepts involved.

karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
IBP9 An urban highway has a speed limit of 50 km/ h

View attachment 1217

(a) assume the $km\ h^{-1}$ means $\displaystyle\frac{km}{h}$

$30\%$ on Z-table is $\approx 0.53$

so using $\displaystyle\frac{X-\mu}{\sigma}=Z$ then $\displaystyle\frac{50-44.8}{10}=0.53$

(b) (c) (d) to come
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
You want to find the $z$-score associated with an area of 0.2, because you want 70% of the data to the left of your $x$ value and 30% to the right. Using a table and interpolating a bit, we find this $z$-score is about 0.525 (Okay, we have different style tables; when I saw you approaching your table with 30%, I thought you were not understanding correctly what to do). :D

W|A returns a $z$-score of $z\approx0.524401$.

We know the data value associated with this $z$-score is 50 (the speed limit), and so to find the mean:

$$\mu=x-z\sigma\approx50-5.24401=44.75599\approx44.8$$
 
MarkFL said:
W|A returns a $z$-score of $z\approx0.524401$.

$$\mu=x-z\sigma\approx50-5.24401=44.75599\approx44.8$$

not sure how to use W|A to get this

erf(z/sqrt(2))=2(0.4) was a previous example but is the input for this problem?

also (b) (c) and (d) somewhat clueless on these.:confused:
 
karush said:
not sure how to use W|A to get this

erf(z/sqrt(2))=2(0.4) was a previous example but is the input for this problem?

also (b) (c) and (d) somewhat clueless on these.:confused:

In this case use:

erf(z/sqrt(2))=2(0.2)

It's been 20 years since I took statistics, and to be honest, I have forgotten about the null hypothesis, but I'm sure someone here is more knowledgeable about this. :D
 
Re: IBP9 An urban highway has a speed limit of 50 km/ h

karush said:
View attachment 1217

(a) assume the $km\ h^{-1}$ means $\displaystyle\frac{km}{h}$

$30\%$ on Z-table is $\approx 0.53$

so using $\displaystyle\frac{X-\mu}{\sigma}=Z$ then $\displaystyle\frac{50-44.8}{10}=0.53$

(b) (c) (d) to come

I'll just show the method in this case.

(b) $H_1$: the mean speed after the campaign is less than $\mu_0 = 44.8\text{ km/h}$.

(c) This is one-tailed because the police is only interested in "less than".

(d) The corresponding test statistic is:
$$z = \frac {\bar x - \mu_0} {\sigma / \sqrt n} = \frac {41.3 - 44.8} {10 / \sqrt{25}}$$

If this z-score is less than the critical z-score corresponding to 5% probability, we can conclude that the campaign has been effective.

Can you finish (d)?
 
I'll try

from $\displaystyle z = \frac {\bar x - \mu_0} {\sigma / \sqrt n} =
\frac {41.3 - 44.8} {10 / \sqrt{25}}=-1.75$

which from $0$ to $Z$ is $4\%$ this is less than the $5\%$ required for an effective campaign
so it was effective.(Wasntme)
 
Good! :)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
10K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
10K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
2K