Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question requires performing a Chi-Square test for a single population variance to evaluate the null hypothesis \( H_0: \sigma = \sigma_0 \).
Key Formula or Approach:
The test statistic used to evaluate a hypothesis about a single population variance is given by:
\[ \chi^2 = \frac{(n-1) s^2}{\sigma_0^2} \]
where:
\( n = \) sample size
\( s^2 = \) sample variance
\( \sigma_0^2 = \) hypothesized population variance
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us identify and substitute the given parameters:
- Given Data:
Sample size, \( n = 20 \implies n-1 = 19 \) degrees of freedom
Sample variance, \( s^2 = 25 \)
Hypothesized population standard deviation, \( \sigma_0 = 8 \implies \sigma_0^2 = 8^2 = 64 \)
- Calculate the Chi-Square Test Statistic:
Substitute the values into the formula:
\[ \chi^2 = \frac{19 \times 25}{64} \]
\[ \chi^2 = \frac{475}{64} \]
Let us perform the division:
\[ \chi^2 = 7.421875 \]
Rounding to two decimal places gives \( 7.42 \), which matches Option (A).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The value of the test statistic is \( 7.42 \).
Therefore, the correct choice is Option (A).