1

Week 5 Tutorial Solutions

CONTINUOUS DISTRIBUTIONS
6.1 (P.202) - Uniform Distribution
"The values of the random variable X are uniformly distributed between 200 and 240."

X Uniform (a = 200, b = 240)

1 1
a. f ( x) = = = 0.025 for 200 X 240
b a 240 200
b. Mean and standard deviation of the distribution:
a + b 200 + 240
Mean: X = = = 220
2 2
b a 240 200
Standard deviation: X = p = p = 11.547
12 12
x2 x1 240 230
c. P ( X > 230) = P (230 < X < 240) = = = 0.25
ba 240 200
x2 x1 220 205
d. P (205 X 220) = P (205 < X < 220) = = = 0.375
ba 240 200
Remind that for continuous distributions, P ( X = a number) 0;

Therefore, P ( X a number) = P ( X < a number)

x2 x1 225 200
e. P ( X 225) = P ( X < 225) = P (200 < X < 225) = = = 0.625
ba 240 200

6.3 (P.202) - An application of the Uniform Distribution

Let X be the number of cents that a contestant spins out.

Because the chance that a contestant spins out any cents from 1 cent to 100 cents is the same, the number of
cents that a contestant can take is uniformly distributed.

X Uniform (a = 1, b = 100)

Now, the first contestant has spined out 80 cents, the second contestant has to spin out a number of cents that
are larger than 80 cents in order to win. In other words, the second contestant has to spin out X > 80 to win.

Therefore, the probability that the second contestant will win is:
x2 x1 100 80
P (second contestant wins) = P ( X > 80) = P (80 < X < 100) = = = 0.202
ba 100 1
2 STAT 202/203 - Week 5 Tutorial Solutions

6.4 (P.202) - An application of the Uniform Distribution

Let X be the price of a medium-sized box of the cornflakes. X ranges from $2.80 to $3.14.

"Assume these prices are uniformly distributed"

X Uniform (a = 2.80, b = 3.14)

Mean and standard deviation of the distribution:

a + b 2.80 + 3.14
Mean: X = = = 2.97
2 2

b a 3.14 2.80
Standard deviation: X = p = p = 0.098
12 12
The probability that a randomly selected box of cornflakes is priced between 3.00 and 3.10:
x2 x1 3.10 3.00
P (3.00 < X < 3.10) = = = 0.294
ba 3.14 2.80

6.5 (P.202) - An application of the Uniform Distribution

Let X be the amount of dollars won.

Because the chance that a contestant wins any amount from $1 to $5000 is the same, the amount of dollars
that a contestant can win is uniformly distributed.

X Uniform (a = 1, b = 5000)

The probability that a contestant wins more than $4000 is:

x2 x1 5000 4000
P ( X > 4000) = P (4000 < X < 5000) = = = 0.2
ba 5000 1
Now, we know the chance that a contestant wins more than $4000 in a day is 0.2. That sounds fantastic! But,
how many days can he/she do it?

Let Y denote the number of days that a contestant can win more than $4000 (in a day).

The total number of days we are examining is 5. Therefore, n = 5.

The chance that the contestant can win more than $4000 in a day is p = 0.2.

Y Binomial (n = 5, p = 0.2)

The probability that more than $4000 is won every day in a week (5 days) is:
5!
P (Y = 5) = 0.25 (1 0.2)55 = 0.00032
5!(5 5)!
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6.6 (P.209) - Calculating probabilities for normal distribution

a. z 1.96

0 z = 1.96 0 0 z = 1.96

P ( z 1.96) = P ( z > 0) P (0 < z < 1.96)

0.5 0.475
=
0.025
=
b. z < 0.73

= +

0 z = 0.73 0 0 z = 0.73

P ( z < 0.73) = P ( z < 0) + P (0 < z < 0.73)

0.5 0.2673
= +
0.7673
=
c. 1.46 < z 2.84

= +

z = 1.46 0 z = 2.84 z = 1.46 0 0 z = 2.84

P (1.46 < z 2.84) = P (1.46 < z < 0) + P (0 < z 2.84)

0.4279 0.4977
= +
0.9256
=
4 STAT 202/203 - Week 5 Tutorial Solutions

d. 2.67 z 1.08

= +

z = 2.67 0 z = 1.08 z = 2.67 0 0 z = 1.08

P (2.67 < z 1.08) = P (2.67 < z < 0) + P (0 < z 1.08)

0.4962 0.3599
= +
0.8561
=
e. 2.05 < z 0.87

2.05 0.87 0 2.05 0 0.87 0

P (2.05 < z 0.87) = P (2.05 < z < 0) P (0.87 z < 0)

0.4798 0.3078
=
0.1720
=

6.7 (P.202) - Standardizing normal distributions

a. = 604, = 56.8, x 635

x 635 604
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 0.55
56.8
Therefore, P ( x 635) = P ( z 0.55)

= +

0 z = 0.55 0 0 z = 0.55
P ( z 0.55) = P ( z < 0) + P (0 < z 0.55)

0.5 0.2088
= +

P ( x 635) = P ( z 0.55) 0.7088

=
 5

b. = 48, = 12, x < 20

x 20 48
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 2.33
12
Therefore, P ( x < 20) = P ( z < 2.33)

z = 2.33 0 0 z = 2.33 0

P ( z < 2.33) = P ( z < 0) P (2.33 < z < 0)

0.5 0.4901
=

P ( x < 20) = P ( z < 2.33) 0.0099

=
c. = 111, = 33.8, 100 x < 150

Convert to standardized normal distribution:

x1 100 111
z1 = = = 0.33
33.8

x2 150 111
z2 = = = 1.15
33.8

Therefore, P (100 x < 150) = P (0.33 z < 1.15)

= +

z = 0.33 0 z = 1.15 z = 0.33 0 0 z = 1.15

P (0.33 z < 1.15) = P (0.33 z < 0) + P (0 < z < 1.15)

= 0.1293 0.3749
+

P (100 x < 150) 0.5042

=
d. = 264, = 10.9, 250 < x < 255

Convert to standardized normal distribution:

x1 250 264
z1 = = = 1.28
10.9

x2 255 264
z2 = = = 0.83
10.9

Therefore, P (250 < x < 255) = P (1.28 < z < 0.83)

6 STAT 202/203 - Week 5 Tutorial Solutions

1.28 0.83 0 1.28 0 0.83 0

P (1.28 < z < 0.83) = P (1.28 < z < 0) P (0.83 < z < 0)

= 0.3997 0.2967

P (250 < x < 255) 0.1030

=
e. = 37, = 4.35, x > 35

x 35 37
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 0.46
4.35
Therefore, P ( x > 35) = P ( z > 0.46)

= +

0.46 0 0.46 0 0

P ( z > 0.46) = P (0.46 < z < 0) + P ( z > 0)

= 0.1772 0.5
+

P ( x > 35) = P ( z > 0.46) 0.6772

=
f. = 156, = 11.4, x 170

x 170 156
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 1.23
11.4
Therefore, P ( x 170) = P ( z 1.23)

0 z = 1.23 0 0 z = 1.23

P ( z 1.23) = P ( z > 0) P (0 < z 1.23)

0.5 0.3907
=

P ( x 170) = P ( z 1.23) 0.1093

=
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6.8 (P.209) - An Application of the Normal Distribution

"The value of investment properties is normally distributed with mean $250, 000 and standard deviation $80, 000"

Let X be the value of a randomly selected investment property.

X N ( = 250, 000, = 80, 000)

a. What is the probability that the property is worth less than $300, 000?

P ( X < 300, 000) =?

x 300, 000 250, 000

Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 0.63
80, 000
Therefore, P ( X < 300, 000) = P ( z < 0.63)

= +

0 z = 0.63 0 0 z = 0.63

P ( z < 0.63) = P ( z < 0) + P (0 < z < 0.63)

0.5 0.2357
= +

P ( X < 300, 000) = P ( z < 0.63) 0.7357

=

b. What is the probability that the property is worth more than half a million dollars?

P ( X > 500, 000) =?

x 500, 000 250, 000

Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 3.12
80, 000
Therefore, P ( X > 500, 000) = P ( z > 3.12)

0 z = 3.12 0 0 z = 3.12

P ( z > 3.12) = P ( z > 0) P (0 < z < 3.12)

0.5 0.4991
=

P ( X > 500, 000) = P ( z > 3.12) 0.0009

=
8 STAT 202/203 - Week 5 Tutorial Solutions

c. What proportion of investment properties are worth between $200, 000 and $400, 000?

P (200, 000 < x < 400, 000) =?

Convert to standardized normal distribution:

x1 200, 000 250, 000

z1 = = = 0.625
80, 000
x2 400, 000 250, 000
z2 = = = 1.875
80, 000

Therefore, P (200, 000 < x < 400, 000) = P (0.625 < z < 1.875)

= +

z = 0.625 0 z = 1.875 z = 0.625 0 0 z = 1.875

P (0.625 < z < 1.875) = P (0.625 < z < 0) + P (0 < z < 1.875)

0.2357 0.4699
= +

P (200, 000 < x < 400, 000) 0.7056

=

6.9 (P.209) - An Application of the Normal Distribution

"Suppose the age of real estate investors is normally distributed with mean 40 years and standard deviation 10
years."

Let X be the age of a randomly selected real estate investors.

X N ( = 40, = 10)

What proportion of investors is below the age of 25?

P ( X < 25) =?

x 25 40
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 1.5
10
Therefore, P ( X < 25) = P ( z < 1.5)

z = 1.5 0 0 z = 1.5 0

P ( z < 1.5) = P ( z < 0) P (1.5 < z < 0)

0.5 0.4332
=

P ( x < 25) = P ( z < 1.5) 0.0668

=

6.11 (P.210) - An Application of the Normal Distribution

"The estimated cost of running a small car is about $150 per week based on driving 15, 000 km per year. Suppose
the standard deviation of the weekly cost is $10."

Let X be the weekly cost of any given small car.

 9

X N ( = 150, = 10)

a. What proportion of small cars cost more than $170 per week to run?

P ( X > 170) =?

x 170 150
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = =2
10
Therefore, P ( X > 170) = P ( z > 2)

0 z=2 0 0 z=2

P ( z > 2) = P ( z > 0) P (0 < z < 2)

0.5 0.4772
=

P ( X > 170) = P ( z > 2) 0.0228

=
b. What proportion of small cars cost between $120 and $180 per week to run?

P (120 < x < 180) =?

Convert to standardized normal distribution:

x1 120 150
z1 = = = 3
10
x2 180 150
z2 = = =3
10

Therefore, P (120 < x < 180) = P (3 < z < 3)

= +

z = 3 0 z=3 z = 3 0 0 z=3

P (3 < z < 3) = P (3 < z < 0) + P (0 < z < 3)

= 0.4987 0.4987
+

P (120 < x < 180) 0.9974

=
10 STAT 202/203 - Week 5 Tutorial Solutions

c. "You want to make sure that you are 95% certain that the weekly cost of running your small car will not exceed
your budgeted amount."

or "You want to have a probability of 95% that the cost per week that you have to spend for running your small car
will less than or equal to your budgeted amount."

or P ( X budgeted amount) = 0.95

Let a be the budgeted amount. Then, we need to find a such that P ( X a) = 0.95
x a 150
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = =
10
a 150

Therefore, P ( X a) = P z = 0.95
10

= +

0 z=
a 150 0 0 z=
a 150
10 10

a 150 a 150

P z = P ( z < 0) + P 0<z
10 10

a 150

0.95 0.5 P 0<z
= + 10

a 150

Therefore, P 0 < z = 0.45 (1)
10
Looking up in the table A.5 for 0.45, you will find the corresponding z is ... ... (Oops!)

Here is how:

The nearest to 0.45 is 0.4495, the corresponding z value is 1.64

The other nearest to 0.45 is 0.4505, the corresponding z value is 1.65

1.64 + 1.65
Therefore, the corresponding z value for 0.45 is: = 1.645
2
Hence, P (0 < z 1.645) = 0.45 (2)

Look at (1) and (2), we can easily see it that:

a 150
= 1.645
10
Solving for a, we have a = 166.45

Conclusion: The budgeted amount that you should set in order to have a 95% certainty that the weekly cost of
running your small car does not exceed the budgeted amount is $166.45.
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Class and self-study problems

6.33 (P.221) - Calculating probabilities with Uniform Distribution

"Data are uniformly distributed between the values of 6 and 14."

Let X be the data. X Uniform (a = 6, b = 14)

1 1
f ( x) = = = 0.125 for 6 X 14
b a 14 6
Mean and standard deviation of the distribution:
a + b 6 + 14
Mean: X = = = 10
2 2

b a 14 6
Standard deviation: X = p = p = 2.309
12 12
What is the probability of randomly selecting a value greater than 11?
x2 x1 14 11
P ( X > 11) = P (11 < X < 14) = = = 0.375
ba 14 6
What is the probability of randomly selecting a value between 7 and 12?
x2 x1 12 7
P (7 < X < 12) = = = 0.625
ba 14 6

6.42 (P.222) - Application of the Uniform Distribution

"The numbers of full-time wage and salary workers in each age category are almost uniformly distributed by age,
with ages ranging from 18 to 65 years."

Let X be the age of a randomly selected worker. X Uniform (a = 18, b = 65)

What is the probability that a randomly selected worker to have his/her age between 25 and 50?
x2 x1 50 25
P (25 < X < 50) = = = 0.5319
ba 65 18
What is the mean of this distribution?
a + b 18 + 65
X = = = 41.5
2 2
What is the height of this distribution?
1 1
f ( x) = = = 0.0213 for 18 X 65
b a 65 18
12 STAT 202/203 - Week 5 Tutorial Solutions

6.34 (P.221) - Standardizing normal distributions

a. P ( x < 21| = 25; = 4)

x 21 25
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 1
4
Therefore, P ( x < 20) = P ( z < 1)

z = 1 0 0 z = 1 0

P ( z < 1) = P ( z < 0) P (1 < z < 0)

0.5 0.3413
=

P ( x < 20) = P ( z < 1) 0.1587

=
b. P ( x 77| = 50; = 9)

x 77 50
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = =3
9
Therefore, P ( x 77) = P ( x > 77) = P ( z > 3)

0 z=3 0 0 z=3

P ( z > 3) = P ( z > 0) P (0 < z < 3)

0.5 0.4987
=

P ( x > 77) = P ( z > 3) 0.0013

=
c. P ( x > 47| = 50; = 6)

x 47 50
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 0.5
6
Therefore, P ( x > 47) = P ( z > 0.5)

= +

0.5 0 0.5 0 0

P ( z > 0.5) = P (0.5 < z < 0) + P ( z > 0)

0.1915 0.5
= +

P ( x > 47) = P ( z > 0.5) 0.6915

=
d. P (13 < x < 29| = 23; = 4)

Convert to standardized normal distribution:

 13

x1 13 23
z1 = = = 2.5
4
x2 29 23
z2 = = = 1.5
4

Therefore, P (13 < x < 29) = P (2.5 < z < 1.5)

= +

z = 2.5 0 z = 1.5 z = 2.5 0 0 z = 1.5

P (2.5 < z < 1.5) = P (2.5 < z < 0) + P (0 < z < 1.5)

= 0.4938 0.4332
+

P (13 < x < 29) 0.9270

=
e. P ( x 100| = 90; = 2.86)

x 100 90
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 3.5
2.86
Therefore, P ( x 100) = P ( x > 100) = P ( z 3.5)

0 z = 3.5 0 0 z = 3.5

P ( z > 3.5) = P ( z > 0) P (0 < z < 3.5)

0.5 0.4998
=

P ( x 100) = P ( z 3.5) 0.0002

=
14 STAT 202/203 - Week 5 Tutorial Solutions

6.37 (P.221) - Applying the Normal Distribution

"Young full-time students work an average of 15 hours per week. The number of hours worked is normally
distributed."

Let X be number of hours worked by students. X N ( = 15, )

"10% of students work more than 25 hours a week." P ( X > 25) = 0.1
x 25 15
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = =

25 15
Hence, P ( z > ) = 0.1

0 z=
25 15 0 0 z=
25 15

25 15 25 15

P z> P ( z > 0) P 0< z<
=

25 15

0.1 0.5 P 0< z<

=

25 15

Therefore, P 0 < z < = 0.4 (1)

Looking up in the table A.5 for 0.4, you will find the nearest value of 0.4 is 0.3997, with the corresponding z of
1.28

Hence, P (0 < z < 1.28) = 0.4 (2)

Look at (1) and (2), we can easily see it that:

25 15
= 1.28

Solving for , we have = 7.8125

Conclusion: The standard deviation of the number of hours worked by full-time students is = 7.8125.
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6.40 (P.222) - Applying the Normal Distribution

"The average price of a Microsoft Windows Upgrade was $90.28. Assume that prices are normally distributed
with a standard deviation of $8.53"

Let X be price of a Microsoft Windows Upgrade at a random selected retailer.

X N ( = 90.28, = 8.53)

What is the probability that the price of a Microsoft Windows Upgrade was below $80 ?

P ( X < 80) =?

x 80 90.28
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 1.21
8.53
Therefore, P ( X < 80) = P ( z < 1.21)

z = 1.21 0 0 z = 121 0

P ( z < 1.21) = P ( z < 0) P (1.21 < z < 0)

= 0.5 0.3869

P ( x < 80) = P ( z < 1.21) 0.1131

=

What is the probability that the price was above $95?

P ( X > 95) =?

x 95 90.28
Convert to standardized normal distribution: z = = = 0.55
8.53
Therefore, P ( X > 95) = P ( z > 0.55)

0 z = 0.55 0 0 z = 0.55

P ( z > 0.55) = P ( z > 0) P (0 < z < 0.55)

0.5 0.2088
=

P ( X > 95) = P ( z > 0.55) 0.2912

=
16 STAT 202/203 - Week 5 Tutorial Solutions

What is the probability that the price was between $83 and $87?

P (83 < x < 87) =?

Convert to standardized normal distribution:

x1 83 90.28
z1 = = = 0.85
8.53
x2 87 90.28
z2 = = = 0.38
8.53

Therefore, P (83 < x < 87) = P (0.85 < z < 0.38)

0.85 0.38 0 0.85 0 0.38 0

P (0.85 < z < 0.38) = P (0.85 < z < 0) P (0.38 < z < 0)

= 0.3023 0.1480

P (83 < x < 87) 0.1543

=