STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI
MODULE No. 7 HIGHER SCHOOL NG UMAK
CENTRAL LIMIT THEOREM

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Illustrates the Central Limit Theorem; and
2. Defines the sampling distribution of the sample mean using the Central Limit Theorem.

INTRODUCTION
In the previous chapter, you have learned how to use the normal distribution to gain
information about an individual data value obtained from the population. In this lesson you will use the
sampling distribution of the mean to obtained information about the sample mean. Find out if you are
ready to learn the present lesson by doing the next activity.

A. Revisiting the z-score

A National Achievement Test was given to a group of high school graduating students. The
Result shows that mean score is 95 with standard deviation of 15. Determine the standard score
corresponding to the following scores.

SCORE STANDARD SCORE

110
100
95
85
70

B. Areas Under the Normal Curve

Conditions Illustrations Area

Between z = 0.5 and z = 1.5

Between z = -1.5 and z = -0.25

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 CONTENT
The Central Limit Theorem is of fundamental importance in statistics because it justifies the use
of normal curve methods for wide range of problems. This theorem applies automatically to sampling from
infinite population. It also assures us that no matter what the shape of the population distribution of the mean
is, the sampling distribution of the sample means is closely normally distributed whenever n is large.
𝑋̅ − µ
Consequently, it justifies the use of the formula 𝑧 = 𝜎 when computing for the probability that X̅ will take
√𝑛
on a value within a given range in sampling distribution of X̅ .

𝑋̅ − µ
= 𝜎
√𝑛
Where: X̅ = sample mean
µ = population mean
σ = population standard deviation
n = sample size

Time to Complete an Examination

The average time it takes a group of college students to complete a certain examination is 46.2
minutes. The standard deviation is 8 minutes. Assume that the variable is normally distributed.

a. What is the probability that a randomly selected college students will complete the examination in less
than 43 minutes?

Steps Solution
1. Identify the given information. µ = 46.2
σ=8
X = 43
2. Identify what is asked for. P(X<43)
3. Identify the formula to be used. Here we are dealing with an individual data obtained
from the population. So, we will use the formula
𝑋̅ − µ
𝑧= to standardize43
𝜎

4. Solve the problem. 𝑋̅ − µ

z= 𝜎 Insert image here from page 128
43−46.2
= 8

= -0.40

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 We shall find P(X<43) by getting the area under the
normal curve.

P(X < 43) = P(z<-0.40)

= 0.5000 – 0.1554
= 0.3446

5. State the answer. So, the probability that a randomly selected college
student will complete the examination in less than 43
minutes is 0.3446 or 34.46%-s

b. If 50 randomly selected college students take the examination, what is the probability that the mean time
it takes the group to complete the test will be less than 43 minutes.

Steps Solution
1. Identify the given information. µ = 46.2
σ=8
X̅ = 43
n = 50
2. Identify what is asked for. P(<43)
3. Identify the formula to be used. Here we are dealing with data about the sample
𝑋̅ − µ
means. So, we will use the formula 𝑧 = 𝜎 to
√𝑛
standardize 43.

4. Solve the problem. 𝑋̅ − µ

z= 𝜎 Insert image here from page 129
43−46.2
= 8
√50

= -0.40

We shall find P(<43) by getting the area under the

normal curve.

P(X < 43) = P(z<-2.83)

= 0.5000 – 0.4977
= 0.0023
5. State the answer. So, the probability that 50 randomly selected college
students will complete the test in less than 43
minutes is 0.0023 or 0.23%.
c. Does it seem reasonable that a college student would finish the examination in less than 43 minutes?
Yes.

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d. Does it seem reasonable that the mean of the 50 college students could be less than 43 minutes? No, it is
very unlikely.

Cholesterol Content

The average number of milligrams (mg) of cholesterol in a cup of 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
X = 670
2. Identify what is asked for. P(X<670)
3. Identify the formula to be used. Here we are dealing with an individual data obtained
from the population. So, we will use the formula
𝑋̅ − µ
𝑧= 𝜎
to standardize 670.

4. Solve the problem. 𝑋̅ − µ

z= 𝜎 Insert image here from page 130
670−660
= 35

= -0.29

We shall find P(X<670) by getting the area under the

normal curve.

P(X < 670) = P(z<-0.29)

= 0.5000 – 0.1141
= 0.3859

5. State the answer. So, the probability that the cholesterol content will be
more than 670 mg. is 0.3859 or 38.59%

b. If the sample of 10 cups of ice cream is selected, what is the probability that the mean of the sample
will be larger than 570 mg?

Steps Solution
1. Identify the given information. µ = 660
σ = 35
X̅ = 670

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 n = 10
2. Identify what is asked for. P(<670)
3. Identify the formula to be used. Here we are dealing with data about the sample
𝑋̅ − µ
means. So, we will use the formula 𝑧 = 𝜎 to
√𝑛
standardize 670.

4. Solve the problem. 𝑋̅ − µ

z= 𝜎 Insert image here from page 131
670−660
= 35
√10

= 0.90

We shall find P(X̅ > 670) by getting the area under the
normal curve.

P(X̅ < 670) = P(z>0.90)

= 0.5000 – 0.3159
= 0.1841
5. State the answer. So, the probability that the mean cholesterol content
of 10 randomly selected cups of ice cream will be
more than 670 mg 0.1841 0r 18.41%.

c. Why is the probability in part A larger than part B? Individual Values are more variable than the
sample means.

ASSESSMENT
Solve the following problems.

1. A manufacturer of light bulbs produces bulbs that last a mean of 950 hours with a standard
deviation of 120 hours. What is the probability that the mean lifetime of a random sample of 10 of
these bulbs is less than 900 hours?

2. The average cholesterol content of a certain canned goods is 215 milligrams, and the standard
deviation is 15 milligrams. Assume the variable is normally distributed.

a. If a canned goods is selected, what is the probability that the cholesterol content will be greater
than 220 milligrams.

b. If a sample of 25 canned goods is selected, what is the probability that the mean of the sample
will be larger than 220 milligrams?

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 HOMEWORK
• Explain the usefulness of the Central Limit Theorem in solving problems involving sampling.

• Why individual data from a population more variable than sample mean.

REFERENCES
• Belecina, Baccay, Mateo Statistics and Probability Rex Book Store; 856 Nicanor Reyes, Sr. St.
Sampaloc Manila. Pp
• William Navidi, Statistics for Engineers and Scienctist, The McGraw-Hill Campanies, 1221
Avenue of the Americas, New York. Pp 126 - 133

Prepared by:

Raymond C. Dela Vega

HSU – Teacher II

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