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Perfect SAT scores. It is possible to score higher than 1600 on the combined mathematics and reading portions of the SAT, but scores 1600 and above are reported as 1600 . The distribution of SAT scores (combining mathematics and reading) in 2014 was close to Normal with mean 1010 and standard deviation 218. What proportion of SAT scores for these two parts were reported as 1600 ? (That is, what proportion of SAT scores were actually higher than 1600?)

Short Answer

Expert verified
About 0.34% of SAT scores were reported as 1600.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Problem

The problem asks us to find the proportion of SAT scores that are reported as 1600, meaning the scores that are actually higher than 1600. The SAT scores are normally distributed with a mean (\( \mu \)) of 1010 and a standard deviation (\( \sigma \)) of 218.
02

Convert the Score to a Z-Score

We need to find what's the probability of a score being more than 1600. Start by converting the score of 1600 to a z-score using the formula \( z = \frac{x - \mu}{\sigma} \). Here, \( x = 1600 \), \( \mu = 1010 \), \( \sigma = 218 \). Calculate:\[ z = \frac{1600 - 1010}{218} = \frac{590}{218} \approx 2.706 \].
03

Find the Proportion Above the Z-Score

Using the z-score obtained, \( z \approx 2.706 \), look up this value in a standard normal (z) distribution table or use a calculator to find the proportion that falls to the right of this z-score. This represents the proportion of scores higher than 1600.
04

Interpret the Z-Score Table

The z-score table gives us values to the left of the z-score. For \( z \approx 2.706 \), the value could be around 0.9966 (depending on the table). Since we want what's above 2.706, calculate \( 1 - 0.9966 = 0.0034 \).
05

Conclude the Proportion

The calculated value of 0.0034 means that about 0.34% of students scored above 1600 and therefore are reported as having a score of 1600.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Normal Distribution
The concept of a normal distribution is a fundamental idea in statistics. It describes how data points are distributed around mean values across many real-world scenarios. Imagine it as a symmetrical bell-shaped curve which indicates that most values cluster around a central region, known as the mean or average.
For normal distributions:
  • The mean (\( \mu \)) is located at the center of the curve, giving it that balanced shape.
  • The spread or variability of the data is denoted by the standard deviation (\( \sigma \)).
  • About 68% of data lies within one standard deviation from the mean, 95% within two, and 99.7% within three.
For the SAT scores mentioned, the mean is 1010 and the standard deviation is 218. Understanding normal distribution helps us visualize and calculate the probability of any score occurring within the range.
Z-Score Calculation
A z-score is a statistical tool that shows how many standard deviations an element is from the mean. It's crucial for comparing scores across different data sets or distributions.
To calculate the z-score, you use the formula:\[z = \frac{x - \mu}{\sigma}\]Where:
  • \( x \) is the score you want to standardize.
  • \( \mu \) is the mean of the distribution.
  • \( \sigma \) is the standard deviation.
For instance, if a student scored 1600 on the SAT, the z-score would be calculated as:\[z = \frac{1600 - 1010}{218} \approx 2.706\]This value indicates that a score of 1600 is 2.706 standard deviations above the mean. The higher this value, the rarer the score.
Proportion Calculation
Once you have the z-score, you can determine the proportion of data points that lie either above or below this score in a normal distribution. This involves checking a standard normal distribution (z) table.
The z-table gives proportions to the left of a given z-score. For our calculation with a z-score of approximately 2.706, the table might show a value like 0.9966.
To find the proportion of scores above this z-score (or higher than 1600 in our example), subtract this value from 1:\[1 - 0.9966 = 0.0034\]This result, 0.0034, means about 0.34% of students scored above 1600. Knowing these proportions is important for interpreting how unusual or likely certain outcomes are within a data set.
Statistics Education
Understanding basic statistical concepts like normal distribution, z-score calculations, and proportion calculations is essential in today's data-driven world. These skills not only aid in interpreting data but also in making informed decisions based on statistical evidence.
In statistics education, students learn to:
  • Identify and describe different types of data distribution.
  • Calculate and interpret z-scores for standardization of data.
  • Utilize statistical tables and tools for proportion calculations.
These statistical tools are widely used in fields from psychology and education to business and healthcare. A solid foundation in statistics can empower students to critically analyze data trends and probabilistic outcomes effectively.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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