Exercises Lecture 4

1. A continuous random variable X has a uniform distribution on the interval [−3,3] . Sketch the graph of its
density function.
2. A continuous random variable X has a normal distribution with mean 100 and standard deviation 10. Sketch
a qualitatively accurate graph of its density function.
3. A continuous random variable X has a normal distribution with mean 73. The probability that X takes a value
greater than 80 is 0.212. Use this information and the symmetry of the density function to find the
probability that X takes a value less than 66. Sketch the density curve with relevant regions shaded to
illustrate the computation.
4. A continuous random variable X has a normal distribution with mean 50.5. The probability that X takes a
value less than 54 is 0.76. Use this information and the symmetry of the density function to find the
probability that X takes a value greater than 47. Sketch the density curve with relevant regions shaded to
illustrate the computation.
5. Buses running a bus line near Desdemona's house run every 15 minutes. Without paying attention to the
schedule she walks to the nearest stop to take the bus to town. Find the probability that she waits more
than 10 minutes.
6. Find the probability
a. P(Z < −1.72)
b. P(Z < 2.05)
c. P(Z < 0)
d. P(Z > −2.11)
e. P(Z > 1.63)
f. P(Z > 2.36)
g. P(−2.15 < Z < −1.09)
h. P(−0.93 < Z < 0.55)
i P(0.68 < Z < 2.11)
j. P(Z < −1.08), P(Z > 1.08)
k. P(Z < −0.36), P(Z > 0.36)
l. P(Z < 1.25), P(Z > −1.25)
m. P(Z < 2.03), P(Z > −2.03)
n. P(Z < −1.29 or Z > 1.29)
o. P(Z < −2.33 or Z > 2.33)
p. P(Z < −1.96 or Z > 1.96)
7. X is a normally distributed random variable with mean 57 and standard deviation 6. Find the probability
indicated.
a. P(X < 59.5)
c. P(X > 52.2)
d. P(X > 70)
8. X is a normally distributed random variable with mean 112 and standard deviation 15. Find the probability
indicated.
a. P (100 < X < 125)
b. P (91 < X < 107)
c. P (118 < X < 160)
9. The amount X of beverage in a can labeled 12 ounces is normally distributed with mean 12.1 ounces and
standard deviation 0.05 ounce. A can is selected at random.
a. Find the probability that the can contains at least 12 ounces.
b. Find the probability that the can contains between 11.9 and 12.1 ounces.
10. The systolic blood pressure X of adults in a region is normally distributed with mean 112 mm Hg and
standard deviation 15 mm Hg. A person is considered “prehypertensive” if his systolic blood pressure is
between 120 and 130 mm Hg. Find the probability that the blood pressure of a randomly selected person is
prehypertensive.
11. Heights X of adult women are normally distributed with mean 63.7 inches and standard deviation 2.71
inches. Romeo, who is 69.25 inches tall, wishes to date only women who are shorter than he but within 4
inches of his height. Find the probability that the next woman he meets will have such a height.
12. Heights X of adult men are normally distributed with mean 69.1 inches and standard deviation 2.92 inches.
Juliet, who is 63.25 inches tall, wishes to date only men who are taller than she but within 6 inches of her
height. Find the probability that the next man she meets will have such a height.
13. A regulation golf ball may not weigh more than 1.620 ounces. The weights X of golf balls made by a
particular process are normally distributed with mean 1.361 ounces and standard deviation 0.09 ounce. Find
the probability that a golf ball made by this process will meet the weight standard.
14. The amount of non-mortgage debt per household for households in a particular income bracket in one part
of the country is normally distributed with mean $28,350 and standard deviation $3,425. Find the probability
that a randomly selected such household has between $20,000 and $30,000 in nonmortgage debt.
15. Find the value of z* that yields the probability shown.
a. P (Z < z*) = 0.0075
b. P (Z < z*) = 0.9850
c. P (Z > z*) = 0.8997
d. P (Z > z*) = 0.0110
e. P (Z < z*) = 0.2200
f. P (Z < z*) = 0.6000
g. P (Z > z*) = 0.0750
h. P (Z > z*) = 0.8200
16. Find the value of x* that yields the probability shown, where X is a normally distributed random variable X
with mean 83 and standard deviation 4.
a. P (X < x*) = 0.8700
b. P (X > x*) = 0.0500
17. X is a normally distributed random variable X with mean 15 and standard deviation 0.25. Find the values 𝑥𝐿
and 𝑥𝑅 of X that are symmetrically located with respect to the mean of X and satisfy P(𝑥𝐿 < X < 𝑥𝑅 ) = 0.80.
18. Scores on a national exam are normally distributed with mean 382 and standard deviation 26.
a. Find the score that is the 50th percentile.
b. Find the score that is the 90th percentile.
19. Scores on the common final exam given in a large enrollment multiple section course were normally
distributed with mean 69.35 and standard deviation 12.93. The department has the rule that in order to
receive an A in the course his score must be in the top 10% of all exam scores. Find the minimum exam score
that meets this requirement.
20. Tests of a new light led to an estimated mean life of 1,321 hours and standard deviation of 106 hours. The
manufacturer will advertise the lifetime of the bulb using the largest value for which it is expected that 90%
of the bulbs will last at least that long. Assuming bulb life is normally distributed, find that advertised value.
21. A machine for filling 2-liter bottles of soft drink delivers an amount to each bottle that varies from bottle to
bottle according to a normal distribution with standard deviation 0.002 liter and mean whatever amount the
machine is set to deliver.
a. If the machine is set to deliver 2 liters (so the mean amount delivered is 2 liters) what proportion of the
bottles will contain at least 2 liters of soft drink?
b. Find the minimum setting of the mean amount delivered by the machine so that at least 99% of all bottles
will contain at least 2 liters.