A random variable X follows a normal distribution with mean 20 and standard deviation 5 - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question 1 - 2011
Question 1
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
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Answer
To find the probabilities corresponding to X = 14 and X = 26, we need to calculate the z-scores using the formula:
z=σx−μ
For X = 14:
z1=514−20=−1.2
For X = 26:
z2=526−20=1.2
Step 2
Find P(-1.2 ≤ z ≤ 1.2)
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Answer
The probability we are looking for can be expressed as:
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)
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Answer
Using standard normal distribution tables (or a calculator), we find:
P(z≤1.2)≈0.8849
Next, we also need to compute:
P(z≤−1.2)≈0.1151
Step 4
Combine results to find P(14 ≤ X ≤ 26)
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Answer
Now we find:
P(−1.2≤z≤1.2)=P(z≤1.2)−P(z≤−1.2)
This results in:
P(−1.2≤z≤1.2)≈0.8849−0.1151=0.7698
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