n an article in the Journal of Management, Joseph Martocchio studied and estimated the costs of employee absences. Based on a sample of 176 blue-collar workers, Martocchio estimated that the mean amount of paid time lost during a three- month period was 1.4 days per employee with a standard deviation of 1.3 days. Martocchio also estimated that the mean amount of unpaid time lost during a three- month period was 1.0 day per employee with a standard deviation of 1.8 days.

Suppose we randomly select a sample of 100 blue- collar workers. Based on Martocchio’s estimates:

a. What is the probability that the average amount of paid time lost during a three- month period for the 100 blue- collar workers will exceed 1.5 days? Assume s equals 1.3 days.

b. What is the probability that the average amount of unpaid time lost during a three- month period for the 100 blue- collar workers will exceed 1.5 days? Assume s equals 1.8 days.

c. Suppose we randomly select a sample of 100 blue- collar workers, and suppose the sample mean amount of unpaid time lost during a three- month period actually exceeds 1.5 days. Would it be reasonable to conclude that the mean amount of unpaid time lost has increased above the previously estimated 1.0 day? Explain. Assume s still equals 1.8 days.