The corrosive effects of various soils on coated and uncoated steel pipe was tested by using a dependent sampling plan. The data collected are summarized below, where d is the amount of corrosion on the coated portion subtracted from the amount of corrosion on the uncoated portion. Does this random sample provide sufficient reason to conclude that the coating is beneficial? Use α = 0.01 and assume normality.

n = 34, Σd = 238, Σd2 = 6256

(a) Find t. (Give your answer correct to two decimal places.)

(b) Find the p-value. (Give your answer correct to four decimal places.)

(c) State the appropriate conclusion.

(Reject the null hypothesis, there is significant evidence that the coating is beneficial. or Reject the null hypothesis, there is not significant evidence that the coating is beneficial. or Fail to reject the null hypothesis, there is significant evidence that the coating is beneficial. or Fail to reject the null hypothesis, there is not significant evidence that the coating is beneficial.