Question

A variable is normally distributed with mean \(68\) and standard deviation \(10\). Find the percentage of all possible values of the variable that

a. lie between \(73\) and \(80\)

b. are at least \(75\)

c. are at most \(90\)

Short answer

Part a. The percentage of all possible values of the variable that lie between \(73\) and \(80\) is \(19.35%\).

Part b. The percentage of all possible values of the variable that are at least \(75\) is \(99.9%\).

Part c. The percentage of all possible values of the variable that are at most \(90\) is \(0.47%\).

Step-by-step solution

Part a. Step 1. Given information

The variable is normally distributed with mean \(68\) and standard deviation \(10\).

Part a. Step 2. Calculation

First find the probability of the variable \(X\) such that it is between \(73\) and \(80\) that is, \(P(73<X<80\)

Now calculating its value:

\(P(73<X<80)=P(73-\mu<X-\mu<80-\mu)\)

\(=P(73-68<X-\mu<80-68)\)

\(=P\left ( \frac{73-68}{10}<\frac{X-\mu}{\sigma}<\frac{80-68}{10} \right )\)

\(=P(0.5<Z<1.2)\)

\(=0.1935\)

The percentage will be \(0.1935\times100%=19.35%\)

Hence, The percentage of all possible values of the variable that lie between \(73\) and \(80\) is \(19.35%\).

Part b. Step 1. Calculation

First find the probability of the variable \(X\) such that it is more than \(75\) that is, \(P(75<X)\)

Now calculating its value:

\(P(X>75)=P(X-\mu>75-\mu)\)

\(=P(X-\mu>75-68)\)

\(=P\left (\frac{X-\mu}{\sigma}>\frac{75-68}{10} \right )\)

\(=P(Z>0.7)\)

\(=0.999\)

The percentage will be \(0.999\times100%=99.9%\)

Hence, The percentage of all possible values of the variable that are at least \(75\) is \(99.9%\).

Part c. Step 1. Calculation

First find the probability of the variable \(X\) such that it is less than \(90\) that is, \(P(X<90)\)

Now calculating its value:

\(P(X<90)=P(X-\mu<90-\mu)\)

\(=P(X-\mu<90-68)\)

\(=P\left (\frac{X-\mu}{\sigma}<\frac{90-68}{10} \right )\)

\(=P(Z<2.2)\)

\(=P(0<Z<2.2)\)

\(=0.0047\)

The percentage will be \(0.0047 \times 100%=0.47%\)

Hence, the percentage of all possible values of the variable that are at most \(90\) is \(0.47%\).