Unit 2 Revision 2

Continuation from Revision 4, but now, we’re doing the REVERSE

process.

Example 1:
Find the value of k given that P(X < k) = 0.1986 and X ~ N (32,8) .

Solution & Explanation:

The concepts that we’ve discussed in Revision 4 earlier are to be
utilised.

1. Area under the curve = 1 (That’s probability = 1, the sum of

probabilities)

Area = 0.5 Area = 0.5

0
Values on this line are the z-values called critical values

2. The Standardized Normal Distribution Table gives only HALF the

area, that is the
area to the right of the middle line where mean = 0.

x−µ
3. The formula for standardization is P ( X < x) = P ( Z < ).
σ

Referring to the question, we have

k −µ k − 32
P( X < k ) = P( Z < ) = P( Z < ) = 0.1986
σ 8

0.1986 is the area under the curve and it is less than 0.5, so this area
is the area indicated in the graph below:
Area = 0.3014

Area = 0.1986

z-value = – 0.85 z-value = 0.85

But, the Table does not allow us to find the z-value for this area.
Referring to the Table for area of 0.3014 ( the nearest value is 0.3023),
and the z-value is 0.85;
1
So, the corresponding z-value for the light blue area is – 0.85.

k − 32
Thus, = −0.85 ⇒ k − 32= − 2.4⇒ k= 29.6
8

Example 2
If X ~ N (41,9) , find the value of k given that
(i) P ( X > k ) = 0.732
(ii) P ( X < k ) = 0.386
Solution:
(i) First standardised the expression,…
 k − 41 
P( X > k ) = P  Z >  = 0.732
 3 

Area = 0.232 (Yellow)

Area = 0.732
Area = 0.5 (Blue)

Since the area is 0.732, the z-value falls in the negative region. To find
the z-value, the Table gives “0.62”, since z-value is negative, we have
k − 41
= −0.62
3

⇒ k = −1.86 + 41 = 39.14

 k − 41 
(ii) P( X < k ) = P  Z <  = 0.386
 3 
Area = 0.114

Area = 0.386 Area = 0.386

The area lies in the negative region of z-value.

The Table gives z-value as 0.29 (using Area = 0.114); thus we
have

k − 41
= −0.29
3

⇒ k=− 0.87
+ =41 40.13

2
Now, try these exercises: IF you’ve difficulties to imagine, always
make a sketch to assist you.
Exercises

1. If X ~ N (80,16) , find the value of k given that

(i) P ( X > k ) = 0.643
(ii) P ( X < k ) = 0.286

2. If X ~ N (38,9) , find the value of k given that

(i) P ( X > k ) = 0.828
(ii) P ( X < k ) = 0.42
(iii) P ( X < k ) = 0.285

Answers below……………..

1. (i) 78.52 (ii) 77.72

2. (i) 35.15 (ii) 37.4 (iii) 36.29