Large language models and independent samples t-tests in statistics
Large language models are particularly ill suited to solving mathematical and statistical systems. The underlying neural networks that look for the next most likely word or phrase based on training data makes no actual calculations. Under the hood, some AI models are diverting mathematical questions to rules based models and mathematical engines. In a data exploration exercises students were given data based on a research into soil organic carbon sequestration under two types of tree, nitrogen fixing trees in Fabaceae and trees that do not have nitrogen fixing capabilities in Myrtaceae . The soil organic carbon stored per square meter per year data was synthesized based on the original research report . The students were given data and then instructed: Calculate the mean for the Falcataria trees. Calculate the mean for the Eucalyptus trees. Make a labelled column chart of the two means. Use the function =TTEST(A2:A21,B2:B21,2,3) to calculate the p-value. Then the stud...