# Homework Help: P value

1. Mar 31, 2010

### Dustinsfl

With a t distribution, can I find the p value?

With a normal distribution, I know the equation is y=e^(-x^2)/sqr(2*pi).

Is there a t distribution I can integrate for a t distribution?

2. Mar 31, 2010

### coreyB

yes, you can find the p-value of a t distribution. the p-value is the probability of getting something as extreme or more extreme than your test statistic. So, ff you know your test statistic, you can find the p-value.

3. Mar 31, 2010

If you are dealing with tests for one mean, each different sample size has a different t-distribution.
I'm not sure what you're after - if you use software the p-value will be (is, for the software with which I'm aware) reported with the output. if you are working by hand, you should know how to use tables to find, or at least approximate, p-values.

4. Mar 31, 2010

### Dustinsfl

I want to be able to form the equation of the distribution and then integrate to solve for the p value.

5. Mar 31, 2010

There is no closed form integral for the t-distribution density (of course there isn't for the normal distribution's density either). (Actually, the cumulative function involves a hypergeometric function).

The density for the t-distribution that has $k$ degrees of freedom is

$$f(x) = \frac{\Gamma\left(\frac{k+1}{2}\right)}{\sqrt{\, \k \pi} \Gamma\left(\frac k 2\right)}\left(1 + \frac {x^2} k\right)^{-\left(\frac{k+1}2\right)}$$

Last edited: Mar 31, 2010
6. Mar 31, 2010

### Dustinsfl

What is gamma?

7. Mar 31, 2010

$\Gamma$ is the gamma function.

8. Apr 2, 2010

### Dustinsfl

Is the gamma function defined by a formula with unknowns? And if so, what is it?

9. Apr 2, 2010

$$\Gamma(x) = \int_0^\infty t^{x-1} e^{-t} \, dt$$
The integral converges for $x > 1$. (It can be defined for complex values as well,
If $x$ is a positive integer it can be shown that
$$\Gamma(x) = (x-1)!$$