High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading cause of strokes. Medical researchers are constantly seeking ways to treat patients suffering from this condition. A specialist in hypertension claims that regular aerobic exercise can reduce high blood pressure just as successfully as drugs, with none of the adverse side effects. To test the claim, 50 patients who suffer from high blood pressure were chosen to participate in an experiment. For 60 days, half the sample exercised three times per week for 1 hour and did not take medication; the other half took the standard medication. The percentage reduction in blood pressure was recorded for each individual.

a. Can we conclude at the 1% significance level that exercise is more effective than medication in reducing hypertension?

b. Estimate with 95% confidence the difference in mean percentage reduction in blood pressure between drugs and exercise programs.

c. Check to ensure that the required condition(s) of the techniques used in parts (a) and (b) is satisfied.