Question: Does lovastatin (a cholesterol – lowering drug) reduce the risk of heart attack? In a Texas, study researchers gave lovastatin to 2,325 people and an inactive substitute to 2,081 people (average 58 years old). After 5 years, 57 of the lovastatin group had suffered a heart attack compare with 97 for the inactive pill.

a) Test the appropriate hypothesis

b) Obtain a test statistic and a p value. Interpret the result at a= .01

c) It is normally assured?

d) Is the difference large enough to be important?

e) What else medical researchers need to know before prescribing this drug widely?