The T.TEST function in Google Sheets is a statistical tool that computes the probability associated with Student’s t-test. It is particularly useful for determining if two samples can be considered to have come from populations that have identical means. This function is widely employed in various fields such as research and business analytics to draw insights from sample data.

Syntax

T.TEST(sample1, sample2, tails, type)

• sample1: The first range or array of data values.
• sample2: The second range or array of data values.
• tails: Indicates the number of distribution tails. Use 1 for a one-tailed test or 2 for a two-tailed test.
• type: Specifies the type of t-test to perform: 1 for paired samples, 2 for two-sample equal variance, and 3 for two-sample unequal variance.

Example #1

=T.TEST(A1:A10, B1:B10, 2, 3)

This function conducts a two-tailed t-test on two samples located in ranges A1:A10 and B1:B10, assuming unequal variance. The result might output a p-value of 0.045, indicating a significant difference between the two sample means.

Example #2

=T.TEST(C1:C20, D1:D20, 1, 2)

This one-tailed t-test compares samples in ranges C1:C20 and D1:D20, assuming equal variance. A hypothetical result could be 0.021, suggesting that the means are significantly different in one direction.

Example #3

=T.TEST(E1:E15, F1:F15, 2, 1)

In this case, a two-tailed t-test is performed on paired samples from ranges E1:E15 and F1:F15. The function could return 0.130, indicating that there is no significant difference in the means.

Error handling

• N/A: Indicates that the function cannot compute the t-test due to invalid data ranges or mismatched sample sizes.
• VALUE!: This error occurs when a non-numeric value is present in the specified ranges.
• DIV/0!: This error signifies that a division by zero has occurred, likely due to insufficient variation in the samples.

Conclusion

The T.TEST function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool for statistical analysis, allowing users to assess the significance of differences between two sample means. By understanding its parameters and applying it correctly, users can make informed decisions based on their data, ultimately enhancing their analytic capabilities.