3.2.5.

Applying the Normal Curve Concepts in Problem Solving

Understanding Test Results

Your TRY!!!
Student Activity 1:

Problem:
The weights of 1,000 children average 50 kg. And the standard deviation is 5 kg. How many children
Weigh between 40 kg. To 55 kg.?

STEPS SOLUTION
1. Draw a normal curve.
 
 
40 50 55

2. What z-score corresponds to X=40 kg.? X −μ 40−50

z= = =-2
σ 5
 
  z = 0.4772

3. What z-score corresponds to X-55 kg.? X −μ 55−50

z= = =1
σ 5
 
  z = 0.3413

4. Place the corresponding z-scores in your graph.

0.4772 0.3413

5. Find the total area between the z-values that correspond to 40 and 55. Solution:
= 0.4772 + 0.3413
  = 0.8185
 Solution:
6. Multiply the total area by 1,000 (the total number of children). Round = 0.8185 * 1,000
up to the nearest whole number. = 819

7. Write your conclusion.

The probability that the children weigh between 40 and 55 is 819.
 

Student Activity 2:
Directions: Solve these problems.

A. Given: μ = 30 and σ = 4.5. What is the raw score X, w h e n

1.  z = 1.25 X = μ + z σ

= 30 + (1.25) (4.5)
  X = 35.625 ≈ 36

X = μ + z σ
2.  z = -1.67 = 30 + (-1.67) (4.5)
  X =22.485 ≈ 22

3.  z= 2.3 X = μ + z σ

= 30 + (2.3) (4.5)
  X = 40.35 ≈ 40

4.  z = -0.30 X = μ + z σ

= 30 + (-0.30) (4.5)
  X = 28.65 ≈ 29

X = μ + z σ
5.  z= 1.96 = 30 + (1.96) (4.5)
 X = 38.82 ≈ 39
 

B. In a job fair, 3,000 applicants applied for a job. Their mean age was found to be 28 with a standard deviation of 4 years.

1. Draw a normal curve distribution showing the z-scores and the raw
scores.
 
20 28 32 Raw scores
  0.4772 0.3413 Z scores
0

x−μ 20−28
2. How many applicants are below 20 years old? z= = = -2
σ 4
 
Z= 0.5 - 0.4772 = 0.0228
 
 (0.0228) (3,000) = 68.4

The applicants that are below 20 years old is 68.

x−μ 32−28
z= = =1
3. How many applicants are above 32 years old? σ 4
Z = 0.5 – 0.3413 = 0.1587
  (0.1587) (3,000) = 476.1
  The applicants that are above 32 years old is 476.

4. How many have ages between 24 and 32 years?

0.4772 + 0.3413 = 0.8185
  (0.8185) (3,000) = 2455.5
The applicants that ages between 24 and 32 years old is 2,456.
 

5. Find the age such that 75% is below it.

(28) (0.75) = 21
 
The age such that 75% is below it is 21.