1. In a test, the scores are normally distributed with a mean of 40 and a standard deviation of 8.

a. find the probability that a student will score:

using the Z transformation

X−μ
Z=
σ
i) over 60 (4)

60−40
= 2.5
8
The probability that X > ¿ 2.5 = 1 – 0.9938 = 0.0062

ii) less than 30 (4)

30−40
= -1.25
8
The probability that X¿ -1.25 = 0.1056

iii) between 30 and 60 (4)

this is the probability that

-1.25 ≤ X ≤ 2.5

= 0.9938 – 0.1056 = 0.8882

b. IF there are 500 students, how many students scored less than 30? (8)  

students who scored less than 30 = 10.56% x 500 = 53 students

2. a. Give five characteristics of a normal distribution curve     

 1. The curve is symmetric about the mean

2. It is unimodal – has a single peak

3. At the line of symmetry, the mean, median and mode coincide, that is, mean = median = mode
4. The curve approaches the horizontal axis asymptotically as we proceed in either direction away
from the centre. This means that the curve will not come into contact with the horizontal axis at both
ends but extends to infinity.
5. The total area under the curve and above the horizontal axis is equal to1                               
 b. Explain the following terms
i. ANOVA

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is a statistical formula used to compare variances across the

means (or average) of different groups. A range of scenarios use it to determine if there is any
difference between the means of different groups.

ii. COVARIANCE (2)

Covariance measures the direction of the relationship between two variables. A positive covariance
means that both variables tend to be high or low at the same time. A negative covariance means that
when one variable is high, the other tends to be low.

iii. Predictor variable (2)

Predictor variable is the name given to an independent variable used in regression analyses. The
predictor variable provides information on an associated dependent variable regarding a particular
outcome.

iv. Criterion variable

A criterion variable is simply another name for a dependent variable or a response variable. This is
the variable that is being predicted in a statistical analysis

v. Hypothesis (2)

A hypothesis is an assumption that is made based on some evidence. This is the initial point of any
investigation that translates the research questions into predictions. It includes components like
variables, population and the relation between the variables. A research hypothesis is a hypothesis
that is used to test the relationship between two or more variables.

3. 15 statistics students got the following marks;

74 73 77 77 71 68 65 77 67 66 85 55 54 60 55
a. Find the median [3]
Yn+ 1
Since n is odd median =
2
= term number 8 after arranging data in ascending order = 68

b. Find the mode [3]

The mode is the most frequent observation which is 77

c. Find the variance [4]

Since the data is for all the 15 students this is a population variance and is obtained by

1
N
∑ X 2 – ∑ ¿¿ ¿

Where ∑ X = 71 118
2

∑ (X )2 = (1024) 2
= 1 048 576

N = 15

1048576
= 71 118 - = 71118 – 69 905 = 1 213
15

d Find the standard deviation

= √ of the variance as calculated above

=√ 1213=34.83

B. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using the mean over other measures of central
tendency. [6]

Advantages

1. Arithmetic mean is simple to understand and easy to calculate.

2. It is rigidly defined.
3. It is suitable for further algebraic treatment.

Disadvantages

1. It is highly affected by the presence of a few abnormally high or abnormally low scores.
2. In absence of a single item, its value becomes inaccurate.
3. It can not be determined by inspection

 
4. A clinical psychologist observed that it takes on average 43 days with a standard deviation of
2 days for patients suffering from clinical depression to respond to therapy.   A group of 8
patients responded to therapy as follows:

Patient 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Days 51 41 62 33 28 43 37 44

Can we conclude that this group of patients is significantly different from previous? 

groups? Use α =0.05 (20)

 5. The following data represents the percentage of births under 2 500g (Y), the fertility rate for
females (X1) and the percentage of illegitimate births (X2) for selected

provincial towns in Zimbabwe.              

     
Town     Y   X1   X2      
Bulawayo    6.1   43.0   9.2      
Bindura   6.3   38.8   9.8      
Chinhoyi    6.5   46.2   9.8      
Gweru    5.7   39.9   7.7      
Lupane   6.6   43.1   10.9      
Mutare    6.1   43.0   9.2      
Masvingo   7.1   55.3   12.0      
Gwanda   7.4   48.5   10.4      

 
          i.      Draw a scatter diagram of Y and X1          [10]
ii. Calculate the correlation between Y and X1    [3] iii. Calculate correlation between X1 and X1   
[4] iv. Interpret your findings making 4 points from the findings.  [10]