Chapter 15.2, Problem 14E

Leaf surface area is an important variable in plant gas-exchange rates. Dry matter per unit surface area (mg/cm³) was measured for trees raised under three different growing conditions. Let μ₁, μ₂, and μ₃ represent the mean dry matter per unit surface area for the growing conditions 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Suppose that the 95% T-K confidence intervals are

Which of the following four statements do you think describes the relationship between μ₁, μ₂, and μ₃? Explain your choice. (Hint: See Example 15.5.)

1. a. μ₁ = μ₂, and μ₃ differs    from μ₁, and μ₂.
2. b. μ₁ = μ₃, and μ₂ differs    from μ₁, and μ₃.
3. c. μ₂ = μ₃, and μ₁ differs    from μ₂, and μ₃.
4. d. All three μ’s are different from one another.