Final answer:
To compare means of two groups, different sets of equations are used depending on the characteristics of the samples.
Step-by-step explanation:
To compare means of two groups, different sets of equations are used depending on the characteristics of the samples. The four cases and their corresponding equations are:
- Independent samples, equal variances - Use the two-sample t-test.
- Dependent samples, equal variances - Use the paired samples t-test.
- Independent samples, unequal variances - Use Welch's t-test.
- Dependent samples, unequal variances - Use the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
These equations allow for the comparison of means under different scenarios, taking into account the characteristics of the samples. It's important to select the appropriate equation based on the nature of the data being analyzed.