3.3.

5 Solving Problems Involving Sampling Distribution of Sample Means

Problem: 
The average number of milligrams (mg.) of cholesterol in a cup of a certain brand of ice
cream is 660 mg. and the standard deviation is 35 mg. Assume the variable is normally
distributed.
a. If a cup of ice cream is selected, what is the probability that the cholesterol content
will be more than 670 mg?
STEPS SOLUTION
1. Identify the given information µ = 660, σ = 35, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑋 = 670
2. Identify what is asked for 𝑃(𝑋 < 670)
3 Identify the formula to be used to compute the 𝑧 = 𝑋−µ
z-score. σ
4. Solve the problem. 𝑧 = 𝑋−µ
σ
𝑧 = 670−660 = 0. 29
35
𝑃(𝑋 < 670) = 𝑃(𝑧 < 0. 29)

= 0. 5000 + 0. 1141
= 0. 6141
5. State the final answer. ( conclusion) The probability of a cup of ice cream containing
cholesterol is 0.6141 or 61.41%

b. If a sample of 10 cups of ice cream is selected, what is the probability that the mean of the
sample will be larger that 670 mg?
 STEPS SOLUTION
1. Identify the given information. µ = 660, σ = 35, 𝑥 = 670, 𝑛 = 10
2. Identify what is asked. -
𝑃(𝑥 < 670)
3. Identify the formula to get z-score. -
𝑧 = 𝑥−µ
σ
√n

4. Solve the problem. -

𝑧 = 𝑥−µ
σ
√n
𝑧 = 670−660
35
√ 10
𝑃(𝑥 < 670)= 𝑃(𝑧 < 0. 90)
= 0. 5000 + 0. 3159
= 0. 8159
5. State your conclusion. The probability of the mean of the sample will be
larger than 670 mg is 0.8159 or 81.59%