Question: You contact a random sample of 36 graduates of Western University and learn that their starting salaries averaged $28,000 last year. You then contact a random sample of 40 graduates from Eastern University and find that their average starting salary was $28,800. In each case, the standard deviation of the sample was $1,000 (20 points).

a) Use the t-test to test the claim that there is no difference between average salaries received by the graduates of the two schools. Why do you think this test could be used here?

b) What assumptions are necessary for this test?