1|Page

STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Name: _______________________________ Date: ___________

Section: ______________________________ Quarter 3 – Week 3

PROBLEMS INVOLVING MEAN AND VARIANCE OF PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS

Background Information
The mean or expected value of the probability distribution informs us the value of the random
variable that we expect to get if the experiment is repeated many times. This signifies that if the
experiment is repeated long enough, there is a chance that the average of the outcomes will begin to
approach the mean.
The standard deviation of a probability distribution indicates how far, on the average, is an
observed value of a random variable from its mean. The lower the standard deviation, the greater the
likelihood that the random variable's observed value will be close to its mean. It is more
comprehensible than the variance of a probability distribution since it is in the same units as the
random variable. For example, if X is a random variable representing the number of heads in three
tosses of a fair coin, then the units for standard deviation is “heads,” while the variance is in square
heads.
Having small standard deviation (and variance) implies that the distribution of the random
variable is quite concentrated around the mean while having a large standard deviation (and variance)
implies that the distribution is rather spread out, with some chance of observing values at some
distance from the mean.
Let us solve some problems involving mean and variance of probability distributions.

Example 1. The following data show the probability distribution of the number of computers sold in a
mall during the past several months.

Questions:
a. What is the probability that on a given day –
▪ fewer than three computers will be sold?
Solution: To find the probabilities that fewer than three computers will be sold, use X = 2, 1,
and 0.
P (X < 3) = P (2) + P (1) + P (0)
P (X < 3) = 0.40 + 0.15 + 0.10
P (X < 3) = 0.65 or 65%
The probability that fewer than three computers will be sold on a given day is 0.65 or 65%.
▪ at most, four computers will be sold?
Solution: To find the probabilities that, at most, four computers will be sold, use X = 4, 3, 2,
1, and 0.
P (X ≤ 4) = P (4) + P (3) + P (2) + P (1) + P (0)
P (X ≤ 4) = 0.10 + 0.20 + 0.40 + 0.15 + 0.10
P (X ≤ 4) = 0.95 or 95%
The probability that, at most, four computers will be sold on a given day is 0.95 or 95%.
▪ at least, two computers will be sold?
Solution: To find the probabilities that, at least, two computers will be sold, use X = 2, 3, 4,
and 5.
P(X ≥ 2) = P(2) + P(3) + P(4) + P(5)
P(X ≥ 2) = 0.40 + 0.20 + 0.10 + 0.05
P(X ≥ 2) = 0.75 or 75%
The probability that, at least, two computers will be sold on a given day is 0.75 or 75%.
2|Page

▪ exactly three computers will be sold?

Solution: To find the probabilities that exactly three computers will be sold, use X = 3.
P(X = 3) = P(3)
P(X = 3) = 0.20 or 20%
The probability that exactly three computers will be sold is 0.20 or 20%.

b. What is the mean of the probability distribution?

Solution:
μ = 𝚺[X·P(X)]
μ = 2.2
The mean of the probability distribution is 2.20. This implies that in the long run, we expect that the
number of computers sold on a given day will be 2.2.

c. What is the standard deviation of the probability distribution?

𝜎 = √𝛴(𝑋 − 𝜇)2  𝑃(𝑋)

𝝈 = √𝟏. 𝟓𝟔𝟎
σ = 1.249
The standard deviation of the probability distribution is 1.249. This implies that on the average, the
number of computers sold is 1.249 units from the mean 2.20.

d. What is the histogram of the probability distribution?

Example 2. In a supermarket, the number of tellers (X) busy with the customers at 1:00 pm varies
from day to day. Past records indicate that the probability distribution of X is as shown below.
3|Page

Questions:
a. What is the probability that exactly five tellers are busy at 1:00 pm?
Solution: To find the probability that exactly five tellers are busy at 1 pm, use X = 5.
P(X = 5) = P(5)
P(X = 5) = 0.262 or 26.2%
The probability that exactly five tellers are busy at 1:00 pm is 0.262 or 26.2%.

b. What is the probability that, at least, three tellers are busy at 1:00 pm?
Solution: To find the probability that, at least, three tellers are busy at 1:00 pm, use X = 3, 4,
5, and 6.
P(X ≥ 3) = P(3) + P(4) + P(5) + P(6)
P(X ≥ 3) = 0.150 + 0.217 + 0.262 + 0.215
P(X ≥ 3) = 0.844 or 84.4%
The probability that, at least, three tellers are busy at 1:00 pm is 0.844 or 84.4%.

c. What is the probability that fewer than six tellers are busy at 1:00 pm?
Solution: To find the probability that fewer than six tellers are busy at 1:00 pm, use X = 5, 4,
3, 2, 1, and 0.
P(X < 6) = P(5) + P(4) + P(3) + P(2) + P(1) + P(0)
P(X < 6) = 0.262 + 0.217 + 0.150 + 0.078 + 0.048 + 0.030
P(X < 6) = 0.785 or 78.5%
The probability that fewer than six tellers are busy at 1:00 pm is 0.785 or 78.5%.

d. What is the mean of the probability distribution?

Solution:

μ = 𝚺[X·P(X)]
μ = 4.122
This implies that in the long run, we expect that the number of tellers busy at 1:00 pm will be
4.122.

e. What is the standard deviation of the probability distribution?

Solution:
4|Page

𝜎 = √𝛴(𝑋 − 𝜇)2  𝑃(𝑋)

𝝈 = √𝟐. 𝟒𝟖𝟏
σ = 1.575
This implies that on the average, the number of tellers busy at 1:00 pm is 1.575 units from the
mean 2.481.

f. What is the histogram of the probability distribution?

Example 3. An appliance store sells a particular model of a washing machine. There are only four
washing machines in stock, and the manager wonders what today’s demand for this particular model
will be. She learns from the marketing department that the probability distribution for X, the daily
demand for the washing machine, is as shown in the table. Find the mean, variance, and standard
deviation of X.

Solution:
• Find the mean of the probability distribution.

Solution:
μ = 𝚺[X·P(X)]
μ = 1.90
The mean implies that the average daily demand of the washing machine is 1.90.

• Find the variance and standard deviation of the probability distribution.

Variance: Standard Deviation:

𝜎 2 = 𝛴(𝑋 − 𝜇)2  𝑃(𝑋) 𝜎 = √𝛴(𝑋 − 𝜇)2 𝑃(𝑋)
𝜎 2 = 1.791 𝜎 = √1.791
σ = 1.338
This implies that on the average, the number of washing machines sold is 1.338 units from
the mean 1.791.
5|Page

Example 4. In a raffle conducted to benefit a local charity, 1 500 tickets are to be sold at Php 20. The
cash prize is Php 10 000. If you purchase three tickets, what is your expected gain?

Solution:
Your gain x may take one of two values. You will either lose Php 60 (three tickets) or win Php 9 940
(less the expenses of your tickets). The probability distribution for the gain X is shown below.

The expected gain is

μ = 𝚺[X·P(X)]
μ = – 40

This signifies that your average or expected gain per raffle if it is done repeatedly would be a loss of
Php 40.

Learning Competencies
1. Interprets the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable (M11/12SP-IIIb-3).
2. Solves problems involving mean and variance of probability distributions (M11/12SP-IIIb-4).

GENERAL DIRECTIONS. Read carefully the directions indicated in the following activity, then,
provide what is needed or asked in each item. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

WRITTEN WORK # 3:
A. Multiple Choice
Read the following questions carefully and encircle the letter that best describes the answer.
For items 1 – 3, refer to the probability distribution below.

1. What is the mean of the probability distribution?

a. 1.375 c. 3.375
b. 2.375 d. 4.475
2. What is the variance of the probability distribution?
a. 2.641 c. 1.235
b. 0.391 d. 5.641
3. What is the standard deviation of the probability distribution?
a. 1.111 c. 3.111
b. 2.111 d. 4.111
For items 4 – 5, refer to the probability distribution below.

4. What is the mean of the probability distribution?

a. 2.980 c. 3.165
b. 3.265 d. 2.890
5. What is the standard deviation of the probability distribution?
a. 1.007 c. 1.006
b. 1.003 d. 1.004
6|Page

B. Modified True or False

Read the statements carefully. If the statement is correct, write TRUE. If it is false, replace the
italicized word/s with the words that will make the statement true.
1. Expected value is the value that we would expect to observe on average if the experiment is
repeated many times.
2. Mean of a discrete random variable describes the spread or variability of the random variable.
3. The total probabilities in a probability distribution must be between 0 and 1.
4. A small standard deviation means that the distribution of the random variable is quite concentrated
around the mean.
5. A large standard deviation (and variance) means that the distribution is rather spread out.

PERFORMANCE TASK # 3
A. Problem Solving
Solve and interpret the problem below.
The probabilities that a health inspector will discover violations of the public health code in a public
place are shown below.

a. What is the probability that the health inspector will discover, at least, three violations of the public
health code?
b. What is the probability that the health inspector will discover, at most, three violations of the public
health code?
c. What is the probability that the health inspector will discover at least three, but fewer than five
violations of the public health code?
d. What is the mean of the probability distribution? And what does it imply?
e. What are the variance and standard deviation of the probability distribution? What do these
measures mean?

B. Take the Challenge!

A frequency distribution of the number of bicycles sold per day at Anna’s bike shop during the past
500 days is shown below.

a. Construct the probability distribution of the random variable X.

b. What is the expected number of bicycles that will be sold at a given day? Explain the meaning of
this value.
c. What is the standard deviation of the number of bicycles that will be sold at a given day? Explain
the results.
7|Page

d. What is the histogram of the probability distribution?

RUBRIC FOR PERFORMANCE TASK

8|Page

STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Name: _______________________________ Date: ___________

Section: ______________________________ Quarter 3 – Week 4

AREAS UNDER THE STANDARD NORMAL CURVE

Background Information

From the previous module, you have learned that the normal curve follows the empirical rule:
• About 68% of the area under the normal curve falls within 1 standard deviation of the mean.
• About 95% of the area under the normal curve falls within 2 standard deviations of the mean.
• Nearly the entire distribution or about 99.7% of the area under the curve falls within 3 standard
deviations of the mean.

Also, recall that a Normal Random Variable 𝑋 has a probability density function of the form

Because of this, solving for the probability of a normal random variable by approximating the area
under the normal curve (aside from the empirical rule) might be difficult since the density function will
involve logarithmic integration. To simplify this process, statisticians developed a table of values that
gives the approximated areas under the normal curve at a given value of a normal variable. But since
a Normal Distribution have varying values for the mean and the standard deviation, it was
standardized by setting the mean as 0 and the standard deviation as 1. This gives us the Standard
Normal Distribution denoted by 𝒁.

The 𝒛-table contains values that corresponds to the area under the standard normal curve to the left
of 𝑧. In symbols, this is written as 𝛷(𝑧)=𝑃(𝑍 ≤𝑧). To find the area under a standard normal curve, it will
be helpful to sketch the standard normal curve and shade the appropriate area under the curve.
9|Page
10 | P a g e

Finding the Area Under the Standard Normal Curve Between Two Values

To find the area between two values, the individual probabilities of each value are subtracted
starting from the rightmost value. That is, 𝑃 (𝑧1 ≤ 𝑍 ≤ 𝑧2) = 𝑃(𝑍≤𝑧2) − 𝑃(𝑍≤𝑧1) = 𝛷(𝑧2) − 𝛷(𝑧1).
11 | P a g e

Finding the Area Under the Standard Normal Curve in the Upper Tail

Recall that the total area under the curve is 1. So, in solving for the area above a z-score, we
have 𝑃(𝑍≥𝑧) =1−𝑃(𝑍≤𝑧) =1−𝛷(𝑧).

Example 4: Find the area under the standard normal curve above of 0.74.
Answer:

From the z-table, 0.74 corresponds to 0.7704. Note that this area from the table is the region
on the left of 0.74. Thus, the area under the standard normal curve above 0.74 is
𝑷(𝒁 ≥ 𝟎. 𝟕𝟒) = 𝟏 − 𝜱(𝟎. 𝟕𝟒) = 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟎𝟒 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟐𝟗𝟔 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟗𝟔%.

Alternatively, 𝑃(𝑍 ≥ 𝑧) = 𝑃(𝑍 ≤ −𝑧). From the previous example, we have

𝑃(𝑍 ≥ 0.74) = 𝑃(𝑍 ≤ −0.74) = 𝛷(−0.74) = 0.2296 = 22.96%.
12 | P a g e

Percentiles
Percentiles indicate the percentage of scores that fall below a particular value. This may also
be obtained using the z-table. Study the following example.

Example 5: Find the value of 𝑧 for which

a. the area to the left of 𝑧 in a standard normal curve is 0.8238.
b. the area to the right of 𝑧 is 0.1251.
Answer:
a. From the table, we locate the entry 0.8238 and find the corresponding value of 𝑧.

Thus, 𝒛 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟑.

b. Recall that 𝑃 (𝑍 ≥ 𝑧) = 𝑃 (𝑍 ≤ −𝑧) for an area above z. So, using the table for negative
values,

This gives 𝑧 = −1.15. Thus, the corresponding z-value is 𝒛 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟓.

*This can also be done by subtracting 0.1251 from 1 which gives the region on the right of the standard
normal curve.

Standard Scores or Z-scores

Most of the random variables that exist in real-life are not really standard such as height,
weight, etc. In this case, in order to use the z-table, you need to convert the normal random variable
to a standard normal variable.

Definition: Given a normal random variable 𝑋 with mean 𝜇 and standard deviation 𝜎, each value 𝑥 of
the variable can be transformed into z-scores using the formula
𝒙− 𝝁
𝒛=
𝝈

Example 6: A random variable 𝑋 has a mean of 24 and a standard deviation of 7. Find the
corresponding z-score for 𝑥=30.
Solution:
𝑥 − 𝜇 30 − 24
𝑧= =  0.86
𝜎 7

To transform a standard normal score to a data value 𝑥 in a given normal distribution, use the formula

𝑥 = μ + 𝑧σ

Example 7: The scores in a quiz of Grade 11 students in a school is normally distributed with a mean
of 34 and a standard deviation of 5. Find the value 𝑥 corresponding to a z-score of 1.18.
Solution:
𝑥 = μ + 𝑧σ = 34 + (1.18)(5) = 39.9
13 | P a g e

The probability for a normal random variable 𝑋 with a normal distribution is then given by
𝑃(𝑋≤𝑥)=𝑃(𝑍≤𝑧).

Example 8: A normal distribution has a mean of 18 and a standard deviation of 3.5. Find
𝑃 (15 ≤ 𝑋 ≤ 20).
Solution:
Converting the values 15 and 20 to z-scores, we have

𝑥− 𝜇 15 − 18
𝑧1 = =  − 0.86
𝜎 3.5
𝑥− 𝜇 20 − 18
𝑧2 = =  0.57
𝜎 3.5

Thus,
𝑷(𝟏𝟓 ≤ 𝑿 ≤ 𝟐𝟎) = 𝑷(−𝟎.𝟖𝟔 ≤ 𝒁 ≤ 𝟎.𝟓𝟕) = 𝜱(𝟎.𝟓𝟕) − 𝜱(−𝟎.𝟖𝟔)
=𝟎 .𝟕𝟏𝟓𝟕 −𝟎 .𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟗 = 𝟎.𝟓𝟐𝟎𝟖 𝒐𝒓 𝟓𝟐.𝟎𝟖%

Example 9: The first quarter grades in General Mathematics of Grade 11 students has a mean of 82 and a
standard deviation of 4. Assume that this is normally distributed.
a. What percent of the students received grades of 80 and below?
b. What percent of the students received grades of 85 and above?
c. What percent of students received grades between 81 and 90?
d. What is the 70th percentile?
Solution:
a. 𝑃 (𝑋 ≤ 80)
𝑥 − 𝜇 80 − 82
𝑧= = = −0.50
𝜎 4
Thus,
𝑃 (𝑋 ≤ 80) = 𝑃(𝑍≤−0.5) = 𝜙 (−0.5) = 0.3085 𝑜𝑟 30.85%
Therefore, 30.85% of the Grade 11 students received a grade of 80 and below.

b. 𝑃 (𝑋 ≥ 85)
𝑥 − 𝜇 85 − 82
𝑧= = = 0.75
𝜎 4
Thus,
𝑃 (𝑋 ≥ 85) = 𝑃 (𝑍 ≥ 0.75) = 1 − 𝜙(0.75) = 1 − 0.7734 = 0.2266 𝑜𝑟 22.66%
Therefore, 22.66% of the Grade 11 students received a grade of 85 and above.

c. 𝑃 (81 ≤ 𝑋 ≤ 90)

𝑥− 𝜇 81 − 82
𝑧1 = = = −0.25
𝜎 4
𝑥− 𝜇 90 − 82
𝑧2 = = = 2
𝜎 4

Thus,
𝑃 (81 ≤ 𝑋 ≤ 90) = 𝑃 (−0.25 ≤ 𝑍 ≤ 2) = 𝜙 (2) – 𝜙 (−0.25) = 0.9772 − 0.4013 = 0.5759 𝑜𝑟 57.59%
Therefore, 57.59% of the Grade 11 students received a grade of between 81 and 90.
14 | P a g e

d. The 70th percentile is the score that is higher than 70% of the students’ scores. That means to
locate 𝑧 such that 𝑃 (𝑍 ≤ 𝑧) = 0.70. Based on the table, this value is between 0.52 and 0.53. In cases where
the exact value is not on the z-table, Linear Interpolation is used. By the fundamental law of proportion, we
have the formula
𝑧−𝑎
𝜙 (𝑧) = [𝜙(𝑏) − 𝜙(𝑎)] ( ) + 𝜙(𝑎)
𝑏−𝑎

But since we are looking for 𝑧, deriving the formula we get

𝜙(𝑧) − 𝜙(𝑎)
𝑧 = (𝑏 − 𝑎) [ ]+𝑎
𝜙(𝑏) − 𝜙(𝑎)
Letting 𝑎=0.52 and 𝑏=0.53, we have

0.70 − 0.6985
𝑧 = (0.53 − 0.52) [ ] + 0.52 = 0.524
0.7019 − 0.6985

Converting this to a raw score, we have

𝑥 = μ + 𝑧σ = 82 + (0.524)(4) = 84.096
This means that 70% of the students got a score of approximately 84 and below.

Learning Competencies:
1. Identifies regions under the normal curve corresponding to different standard normal values.
(M11/12SP-IIIc-3)
2. Converts a normal random variable to a standard normal variable and vice versa. (M11/12SP-IIIc-4)
3. Computes probabilities and percentiles using the standard normal table. (M11/12SP-IIIc-d-1)

GENERAL DIRECTIONS: Read carefully the directions indicated in the following activity, then, provide what
is needed or asked in each item. Write the answers on a separate sheet of paper.

WRITTEN WORK # 4
A. Find the area under the standard normal curve given the following conditions.
1. Below 0.92.
2. Above -1.19
3. Above 0.41
4. Between -0.29 and 2.05
5. Between 0.18 and 1.23

B. A normal distribution has a mean of 32 and a standard deviation of 3.5. Convert the given normal random
variable to a standard normal variable and vice versa.
1. 𝑥 = 25
2. 𝑥 = 40
3. 𝑥 = 35
4. 𝑧 = 1.16
5. 𝑧 = −0.79

C. Find the z-value that corresponds to the given percentiles. Use Linear Interpolation.
1. 35th
2. 40th
3. 60th
4. 75th
5. 90th

D. Read and answer the following problem. Draw the corresponding region in the standard normal curve and
write your complete solution.
15 | P a g e

1. What percent of the Grade 11 female students have weights of 45 kg or less?

2. What percent of the Grade 11 female students have weights of 50 kg or more?
3. What percent of the Grade 11 female students have weights between 40 kg and 48 kg?
4. What is the 60th percentile?

PERFORMANCE TASK # 4

Watch the video entitled “The Normal Distribution is Everywhere” at https://www.lynda.com/IT-

tutorials/normal-distribution-everywhere/737774/2802486-4.html. Reflect on the video in the form of a poster
showing the importance of normal distribution and standard normal distribution in real-life.

RUBRIC OF PERFORMANCE TASK

References:
K to 12 Curriculum Guide (Statistics & Probability). Department of Education. Pasig City.
Rene R. Belecina, Elisa S. Baccay, and Efren B. Mateo, Statistics and Probability. Quezon City:
Rex Bookstore, 2016, 21-40.
Jose M. Ocampo, Jr and Wilmer G. Marquez, Conceptual Math and Beyond: Statistics and Probability.
Quezon City: Brilliant Creations Publishing, Inc, 2016, 15-21.
William Mendenhall, Robert J. Beaver, and Barbara M. Beaver, Introduction to Probability and Statistics:
Fourteenth Edition. Pasig City: Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd, 2014, 160-163.
Zita VJ Albacea, Ph.D., et al., Teaching Guide for Senior High School: Statistics and Probability.
Quezon City: Commision on HigherEducation, 2016, 182-203
Eduardo M. Albay., Statistics and Probability. Makati City: DIWA Learning Systems Inc, 2019, 81-107
“The z-table”. z-table.com. Date of accessed January 28, 2021