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8.01 Bell curves

Worksheet
Bell curves
1

State whether the following curves are normally distributed:

a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
2

Consider the following normal distributions:

a
b

State the following values for each distribution:

i

mean

ii

median

iii

mode

3

Determine whether the following statements are true for a normal distribution:

a

The majority of scores from a normal distribution will likely lie around the mean.

b

The majority of scores from a normal distribution will likely lie away from the mean.

c

The distribution is symmetric about the mean.

d

The distribution is asymmetric.

e

A higher mean will result in a skewed curve.

f

The mean, median and mode all have the same value.

g

The spread of the normal distribution changes depending on the mean.

h

The spread of the normal distribution changes depending on the standard deviation.

4

Draw normal distribution curves for each of the following values. Mark the horizontal axis with the scores that are 1, 2 and 3 standard deviations from the mean.

a

mean 306 and standard deviation 32

b

mean -307 and standard deviation 23

Applications
5

The lengths of female funnel web spiders are approximately normally distributed, with an average length of 225\text{ mm}. The standard deviation is 30 \text{ mm}.

The points marked on the horizontal axis of each distribution below are separated by 1 standard deviation. Determine whether the following shows the distribution of the lengths of female funnel webs:

a
b
c
d
6

A biscuit manufacturer claims to use 18.5\text{ g} of sugar in each packet of biscuits.

Due to measurement error, the amount of sugar in each packet of biscuits is approximately normally distributed with mean 18.5\text{ g}.

Determine whether the following shows the possible distribution of sugar in each packet:

a
b
c
d
7

The length of the journey from a particular train station into the city is approximately normally distributed and varies with a standard deviation of 4 minutes.

The points marked on the horizontal axis for each distribution below are separated by 1 standard deviation. Determine whether the following shows the possible distribution of journey times into the city:

a
b
c
d
8

The pH level of tap water is approximately normally distributed with mean 6.77 and standard deviation of 0.4.

Draw the distribution curve pH levels of tap water.

9
a

The heights of trees in a plant nursery are approximately normally distributed with an average height of 177.3\text{ cm}.

What is the median height of the trees in centimeters?

b

The height of male Australians is approximately normally distributed with an average height of 175.6\text{ cm}.

What is the median height of male Australians in centimeters?

10

Each year, a charity holds an event in which teams compete to raise funds. The amount of money a team raises is approximately normally distributed. Calculate the average amount raised by a team, if the median amount is:

a

\$1590

b

\$1220

11

The weight of avocados at a grocery store is approximately normally distributed. The average weight is 157\text{ g}. The points marked on the horizontal axis are separated by 1 standard deviation.

a

What is the standard deviation of the weight of avocados in grams?

b

What is the value of x on the graph?

c

What is the value of y on the graph?

12

The results from an exam were approximately normally distributed. The mean score was 44, with a standard deviation of 6. The points marked on the horizontal axis are separated by 1 standard deviation.

a

What is the value of x on the graph?

b

What is the value of y on the graph?

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Outcomes

MS2-12-2

analyses representations of data in order to make inferences, predictions and draw conclusions

MS2-12-7

solves problems requiring statistical processes, including the use of the normal distribution and the correlation of bivariate data

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