Chapter 6: Problem 9
Assume that \(x\) has a normal distribution with the specified mean and standard deviation. Find the indicated probabilities. $$ P(8 \leq x \leq 12) ; \mu=15 ; \sigma=3.2 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The probability is approximately 0.1605.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Normal Distribution
We have a normal distribution variable \( x \) with mean \( \mu = 15 \) and standard deviation \( \sigma = 3.2 \). We need to find the probability \( P(8 \leq x \leq 12) \).
02
Convert to Standard Normal Distribution
First, we convert the values 8 and 12 into their respective z-scores using the formula \( z = \frac{x - \mu}{\sigma} \). Calculate \( z_1 \) for \( 8 \): \[ z_1 = \frac{8 - 15}{3.2} = -2.1875 \]. Next, calculate \( z_2 \) for \( 12 \): \[ z_2 = \frac{12 - 15}{3.2} = -0.9375 \].
03
Find Probabilities from Z-Scores
Using a standard normal distribution table or calculator, find \( P(Z \leq -2.1875) \) and \( P(Z \leq -0.9375) \). These are the probabilities for the z-scores.
04
Calculate Probability Between the Z-Scores
Use the standard normal table to find \( P(Z \leq -2.1875) \), which is approximately 0.0143, and \( P(Z \leq -0.9375) \), which is approximately 0.1748. The probability \( P(-2.1875 \leq Z \leq -0.9375) \) is the difference: \( 0.1748 - 0.0143 = 0.1605 \).
05
Conclusion
Thus, the probability \( P(8 \leq x \leq 12) \) is approximately 0.1605 for the given normal distribution with \( \mu = 15 \) and \( \sigma = 3.2 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Z-Scores
When working with normal distributions, z-scores are incredibly helpful. A z-score measures how many standard deviations a specific value is from the mean of the distribution. To calculate a z-score, you use the formula: \( z = \frac{x - \mu}{\sigma} \). Here, \( x \) represents the data point, \( \mu \) is the mean, and \( \sigma \) is the standard deviation.
Z-scores help in converting any normal distribution to a standard normal distribution, which has a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. This makes it easier to find probabilities using standard normal tables or calculators. In our example, the z-score for \( x = 8 \) was calculated as \( -2.1875 \), and for \( x = 12 \), it was \( -0.9375 \).
Z-scores help in converting any normal distribution to a standard normal distribution, which has a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. This makes it easier to find probabilities using standard normal tables or calculators. In our example, the z-score for \( x = 8 \) was calculated as \( -2.1875 \), and for \( x = 12 \), it was \( -0.9375 \).
- A negative z-score indicates a value below the mean.
- A positive z-score indicates a value above the mean.
- Z-scores can help compare values from different distributions.
Role of Standard Deviation
Standard deviation, denoted by \( \sigma \), is a vital statistical measure that tells us how much data points in a distribution deviate from the mean. In simpler terms, it reflects the spread or dispersion of a set of data points.
A smaller standard deviation means that data points are close to the mean, while a larger standard deviation indicates more spread out data. In the exercise, the standard deviation is 3.2, which defines how spread out the values of \( x \) are around their mean of 15.
A smaller standard deviation means that data points are close to the mean, while a larger standard deviation indicates more spread out data. In the exercise, the standard deviation is 3.2, which defines how spread out the values of \( x \) are around their mean of 15.
- Helps to determine the variability of the dataset.
- Critical for transforming the normal distribution into a standard normal distribution.
- Essential for calculating z-scores.
Understanding Probability in Normal Distribution
Probability in the context of normal distribution deals with finding the likelihood that a variable falls within a specific range. Given a normal distribution defined by its mean and standard deviation, the probability \( P(a \leq x \leq b) \) is the area under the distribution curve between two points \( a \) and \( b \).
To find this probability, converting the normal distribution to a standard normal distribution using z-scores is essential. Then, using the standard normal distribution table or a calculator, you can identify the probabilities associated with these z-scores. In our scenario, the probabilities for \( z = -2.1875 \) and \( z = -0.9375 \) were found to be approximately 0.0143 and 0.1748, respectively.
To find this probability, converting the normal distribution to a standard normal distribution using z-scores is essential. Then, using the standard normal distribution table or a calculator, you can identify the probabilities associated with these z-scores. In our scenario, the probabilities for \( z = -2.1875 \) and \( z = -0.9375 \) were found to be approximately 0.0143 and 0.1748, respectively.
- Sum of probabilities for all possibilities is always 1.
- The total area under the normal distribution curve equals 1.
- Probabilities help us understand the behavior of a random variable within the distribution.