Chapter 10: Problem 70
Assume that the random variable \(X\) is normally distributed. Use the given information to find the unknown parameter or parameters of the distribution. If \(P(X \geq 10)=0.3936\) and \(P(X \leq 6)=0.3936\), find \(E(X)\) and \(S D(X)\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(E(X) = 8\), \(SD(X) = 7.41\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
Given a normally distributed random variable \(X\) with \(P(X geq 10) = 0.3936\) and \(P(X leq 6) = 0.3936\), we need to find the mean \(E(X)\) and standard deviation \(SD(X)\). These probabilities can help us locate the values on the Z-table.
02
Identify Z-scores
Find the z-scores corresponding to the provided probabilities from the Z-table. For \(P(Z geq z) = 0.3936\), \(z = -0.27\). Similarly, for \(P(Z leq z) = 0.3936\), \(z = -0.27\).
03
Set Up the Equations
Use the z-score formula \(z = \frac{X - \mu}{\sigma}\) to set up equations based on the given data. For \(X = 10\), the equation is \(-0.27 = \frac{10 - \mu}{\sigma}\). For \(X = 6\), the equation is \(-0.27 = \frac{6 - \mu}{\sigma}\).
04
Solve for \(\, \, \mu\)
Subtract the second equation from the first one: \(\frac{10 - \, \, 6}{\sigma} = 0\). This simplifies to \(4 = 0\), showing the z-scores are equal and confirming symmetry.
05
Find \(\mu\)
Because both z-scores are equal around the mean, it means \(\frac{10 - \mu}{\sigma} = -\frac{6 - \mu}{\sigma}\). Solving this gives \(\mu = 8\).
06
Find \(\sigma\)
Use the previously identified z-score for X=10: \(-0.27 = \frac{10 - 8}{\sigma}\). Hence, \(-0.27 = \frac{2}{\sigma}\), solving it \(\sigma = \frac{2}{-0.27} \approx 7.41\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Normal Distribution
The normal distribution is a fundamental concept in statistics. It is a type of continuous probability distribution for a real-valued random variable. The curve of a normal distribution is often referred to as the 'bell curve' because of its bell-like shape.
Key properties of normal distribution include:
Key properties of normal distribution include:
- Symmetry: The distribution is symmetric around its mean, meaning the left side is a mirror image of the right side.
- Mean, median, and mode: All three measures of central tendency for a normal distribution are equal and located at the center of the distribution.
- Asymptotic: The tails of the distribution approach, but never touch, the horizontal axis.
Mean and Standard Deviation
The mean (often represented as \(\mu\)) is the average value of a data set. In a normal distribution, it is the center point of the data.
The standard deviation (often represented as \(\sigma\)) measures the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values. A low standard deviation means the values are close to the mean, while a high standard deviation means the values are spread out over a wider range.
In solving the problem, we used given probabilities to set up equations involving the z-scores, which were then used to find the mean and standard deviation. The process involved:
The standard deviation (often represented as \(\sigma\)) measures the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values. A low standard deviation means the values are close to the mean, while a high standard deviation means the values are spread out over a wider range.
In solving the problem, we used given probabilities to set up equations involving the z-scores, which were then used to find the mean and standard deviation. The process involved:
- Identifying z-scores from probabilities
- Setting up equations using the z-score formula
- Solving these equations to find \(\mu\) and \(\sigma\)
Z-score
A z-score represents the number of standard deviations a data point is from the mean of the data set. It helps in determining the position of a value within a normal distribution.
The z-score formula is given by \(z = \frac{X - \mu}{\sigma}\), where:
These z-scores were then plugged into the z-score formula to create equations, which were solved to find the mean and standard deviation of the distribution. Using z-scores is crucial in statistics as it standardizes different data points, allowing for comparisons.
The z-score formula is given by \(z = \frac{X - \mu}{\sigma}\), where:
- \(X\) is the value of the data point.
- \(\mu\) is the mean of the distribution.
- \(\sigma\) is the standard deviation.
These z-scores were then plugged into the z-score formula to create equations, which were solved to find the mean and standard deviation of the distribution. Using z-scores is crucial in statistics as it standardizes different data points, allowing for comparisons.