Assessment Module 5

This module assessment consists of 2 parts. Part 1 is worth 14 points, and Part 2 is worth 6.

Part 1: Some calculations and interpretations.

1. One of the calculations we do this week is the “expected value” or mean of a distribution.

a. In your non-math life, what does “expected” mean to you? Answer in 1 – 5 complete sentences.

b. What does “expected value” mean in a probability/statistics situation? How is it calculated?

Answer in complete sentences, please (not math; use words).

2. Suppose we have a Normal distribution with mean 35 and standard deviation 4.

a. Take a few minutes to draw this curve very neatly and accurately. Reference the document
“How to Draw a Normal Curve” in this assessment.

Use a separate sheet of paper, or add extra space here, and use a straightedge to draw an axis.

b. Label your curve from part a with the 68-95-99.7 Rule.

c. If we randomly select a value from this Normal model and call that value x, find:

i. P(x < 30)

ii. P(x > 30.4)

iii. P(33 < x < 40)

Make a note about how you’re doing your calculations (Ti-8x, GeoGebra, Excel, etc.) and what you enter.

d. The middle 90% of the Normal curve is between what two values? (We’re looking for a
symmetric interval here, so 45% is above the mean and 45% below the mean.)

3. The amount of detergent in a box follows a Normal model with a mean of 64.1 ounces and a
standard deviation of .15 ounces.

a. What is the z-score for a box that contains 64.0 ounces?

b. A certain box has a z-score of -7 (Way off the charts! Error in production!?). How many ounces
of detergent are in the box?

Note: Be sure you find the z-score formula on page 167. Try the Guided Practice problems under that to
be sure you’re getting the answers right. =)
Part 2: Discussion

Step 1: Using an area of your life, make up a discrete random variable, X, and give it a probability
distribution.

For example, I used to run a lot. I could say the number of miles (rounded to the nearest mile) I run
every day is a discrete random variable. And then I could make up this probability distribution:

Number of Miles, X 2 3 4 5
P(X) .1 .5 .25 .15

This isn’t a real situation, of course. I could run 1 mile, or 6, or 26.2, but I’m keeping it brief.

Your post doesn’t have to be very long, just enough to give someone the info and the situation.

Step 2: Reply to someone’s post:

 Calculate the “expected value” (aka mean) of their distribution.

 Write a sentence about what that means, in the context of the situation.

For example, if you are replying, to me, you might write:

Good morning Vincent,

I have calculated the mean of your distribution as:
μ = 2(0.1) + 3(0.5) + 4(0.25) + 5(0.15)
μ = 3.45 miles
In the situation, this means that on average, you run 3.45 miles per day.
Happy running! =D

Avoid giving a generic reply, like “The mean is 3.45.” That doesn’t capture the context of the situation.