PRELIMINARIES

CENTRAL LIMIT THEOREM

DEFINITION:
If sample size of size n, where n is sufficiently
large, are drawn from any population, then
the sampling distribution of the sample
means approximates a normal distribution.
FORMULA

X − X −
z= z=
 
n
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
TIME TO COMPUTE 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 student will
complete the examination in less than 43 minutes?
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?
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
In a study of the life expectancy of 400 people in a
certain geographic region, the mean age at death
was 70 years, and the standard deviation was 5.1
years. If a sample of 50 people from this region is
selected, what is the probability that the mean life
expectancy will be less than 68 years?
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
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?
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
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 sample of 10 cups of ice cream is selected,
what is the probability that the mean of the
sample will be larger than 670 mg?
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
The average public high school has 468 students
with a standard deviation of 87.
a. If a public school is selected, what is the
probability that the number of students enrolled
is greater than 400?
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
The average public high school has 468 students
with a standard deviation of 87.
a. If a random sample of 38 public high schools is
selected, what is the probability that the average
number of students enrolled is between 445 and
485?