When conducting a test for the difference of means for two independent populations x1 and x2, what alternate hypothesis would indicate that the mean of the x2 population is larger than that of the x1 population? Express the alternate hypothesis in two ways.A.) H1: ?1 < ?2 or H1: ?2

The first step to determine which statistical hypothesis to use you have to state the objective of the experiment, ask yourself, what wants the investigator to proof?

In this case, the answer to this question is:

"We want to test if the population mean of population 2 is greater than the population mean of population 1."

Now the next step is to translate this from colloquial language to Symbols:

μ₂ > μ₁

Remember, in the null hypothesis you declare the situation "unchanged". This means that regarding the researcher's thinking, the current population status of the parameter understudy will be expressed in the null hypothesis. That is why it always carries the = symbol.

So, when you translate the investigator hypothesis to symbols, if it carries the = symbol, then the statement belongs to the null hypothesis. But if the statement doesn't have it, then what you symbolized in the alternative hypothesis.

Your hypothesis is:

H₀: μ₂ = μ₁

H₁: μ₂ > μ₁

I hope it helps!