The t-test compares the means of two groups to determine if they are significantly different.
What this calculator does
H₀: μ₁ = μ₂ (no difference). If |t| > 1.96, reject H₀ at 95% confidence.
How it works
Welch's t-test is used here — no assumption of equal variances.
When to use this calculator
This calculator is appropriate for any analysis that will be presented, reported, or used to make decisions. Accurate statistical metrics are the foundation of valid conclusions.
Common mistakes
A frequent mistake is computing statistics on a dataset without checking for data entry errors, outliers, or missing values. A single transcription error in a small dataset can shift the mean and standard deviation substantially. Always verify the input data before interpreting results.
Real-world scenarios
A quality engineer analyses the diameter measurements of 25 machined parts: mean 50.02 mm, standard deviation 0.08 mm. With a tolerance of ±0.25 mm, the process is well within specification — and the SD confirms the manufacturing variation is low enough that virtually no parts will fall outside tolerance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a t-test?
A t-test compares the means of two groups. If the t-statistic exceeds the critical value, the difference is statistically significant.
What p-value is significant?
p < 0.05 is the conventional threshold for statistical significance.