Photo AI

A random variable X follows a normal distribution with mean 20 and standard deviation 5 - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question 1 - 2011

Question icon

Question 1

A-random-variable-X-follows-a-normal-distribution-with-mean-20-and-standard-deviation-5-Leaving Cert Mathematics-Question 1-2011.png

A random variable X follows a normal distribution with mean 20 and standard deviation 5. Find P(14 ≤ X ≤ 26).

Worked Solution & Example Answer:A random variable X follows a normal distribution with mean 20 and standard deviation 5 - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question 1 - 2011

Step 1

Calculate the z-scores for 14 and 26

96%

114 rated

Answer

To find the probabilities corresponding to X = 14 and X = 26, we need to calculate the z-scores using the formula:

z=xμσz = \frac{x - \mu}{\sigma}

For X = 14: z1=14205=1.2z_1 = \frac{14 - 20}{5} = -1.2

For X = 26: z2=26205=1.2z_2 = \frac{26 - 20}{5} = 1.2

Step 2

Find P(-1.2 ≤ z ≤ 1.2)

99%

104 rated

Answer

The probability we are looking for can be expressed as:

P(14X26)=P(1.2z1.2)P(14 ≤ X ≤ 26) = P(-1.2 ≤ z ≤ 1.2)

This can be found using the cumulative distribution function (CDF) for the standard normal distribution.

Step 3

Calculate P(z ≤ 1.2)

96%

101 rated

Answer

Using standard normal distribution tables (or a calculator), we find: P(z1.2)0.8849P(z ≤ 1.2) ≈ 0.8849

Next, we also need to compute: P(z1.2)0.1151P(z ≤ -1.2) ≈ 0.1151

Step 4

Combine results to find P(14 ≤ X ≤ 26)

98%

120 rated

Answer

Now we find:

P(1.2z1.2)=P(z1.2)P(z1.2)P(-1.2 ≤ z ≤ 1.2) = P(z ≤ 1.2) - P(z ≤ -1.2)

This results in:

P(1.2z1.2)0.88490.1151=0.7698P(-1.2 ≤ z ≤ 1.2) ≈ 0.8849 - 0.1151 = 0.7698

Join the Leaving Cert students using SimpleStudy...

97% of Students

Report Improved Results

98% of Students

Recommend to friends

100,000+

Students Supported

1 Million+

Questions answered

;