In this activity, you will be performing a t-test on
the football data set to 
determine
whether there is a significant difference between the kicking distances of a football
filled with helium and one filled with regular air. The data was collected by a researcher
at Ohio State University. Each football was kicked
39 times on a windless day and the two footballs were alternated with each kick. The
experimenter recorded the distance traveled by each ball. Using either Excel or the
This data exists in three files; one is in Excel Data format, one is in Text format, and one is in TI-83 Group format. If you want to perform the t-test using the TI-83, you will have to import the data into the calculator from the computer after you have downloaded the file.
Is there a significant difference in the mean distances traveled by the air-filled and helium-filled footballs? What is the mean distance traveled by the air-filled football? the helium filled football? What is the t statistic? What is the critical t value? What is the p value?
Original work on this document was done by Central Virginia Governor's School students Stephanie Mayer, Teona Callaham, and Nam Tran (Class of '98).
Copyright © 1997 Central Virginia Governor's School for Science and Technology Lynchburg, VA