The numbers (in thousands) of farms per state found in three sections of the country are listed next. Test the claim at α = 0.05 that the mean number of farms is the same across these three geographic divisions.

Assume that all variables are normally distributed, that the samples are independent, and that the population variances are equal. Also, for each exercise, perform the following steps.
a. State the hypotheses and identify the claim.
b. Find the critical value.
c. Compute the test value.
d. Make the decision.
e. Summarize the results, and explain where the differences in the means are.
Use the traditional method of hypothesis testing unless otherwise specified.

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Eastern thirdMiddle thirdWestern third 48 57 24 10 38 95 52 64 64 29 40 40 68