Finding Probability of Low Cereal Content in Random Selection of Boxes

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the probability that the average content of four randomly selected cereal boxes is less than 18 oz, given a normal distribution with a mean of 22 oz and a standard deviation of 1.3 oz. The calculated Z-score is -6.15, leading to an area of 0.4999 from the Z-table, which results in a probability of 0.001 after adjustments. There is confusion regarding the mean value, but it is clarified that the mean is indeed 22 oz, not 20 oz. The participant seeks confirmation on their calculations and understanding of the problem. The conclusion affirms that using 22 oz for the mean is correct for the probability calculation.
shawnz1102
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Homework Statement


A machine fills cereal boxes at a factory. Due to an accumulation of small errors (different flakes sizes, etc.) it is thought that the amount of cereal in a box is normally distributed with mean 22 oz. for a supposedly 20 oz. box. Suppose the standard deviation of the amount filled is 1.3 oz. What is the probability that a federal regulatory selects four of these boxes at random and finds that the average content of these boxes is less than 18 oz?

The Attempt at a Solution


[PLAIN]http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3904/49450328.jpg

From the graph, I calculated the Z score using the Z score equation for distribution of sample means.

The Z-score I got was -6.15

I then found the area from Table E which came out to be 0.4999 (Table E said any value greater than 3.09 use 0.4999. Since it's to the left of the mean, I subtracted 0.5 from the Z value (0.5-0.4999) and my answer came out to be 0.001

Can anyone please double check if I got the answer correct?

I'm a bit confused by the question when it says that it's normally distributed with a mean of 22 oz for a "supposedly 20 oz box." So is it implying that the mean is 22 or 20?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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shawnz1102 said:

Homework Statement


A machine fills cereal boxes at a factory. Due to an accumulation of small errors (different flakes sizes, etc.) it is thought that the amount of cereal in a box is normally distributed with mean 22 oz. for a supposedly 20 oz. box. Suppose the standard deviation of the amount filled is 1.3 oz. What is the probability that a federal regulatory selects four of these boxes at random and finds that the average content of these boxes is less than 18 oz?


The Attempt at a Solution


[PLAIN]http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3904/49450328.jpg

From the graph, I calculated the Z score using the Z score equation for distribution of sample means.

The Z-score I got was -6.15

I then found the area from Table E which came out to be 0.4999 (Table E said any value greater than 3.09 use 0.4999. Since it's to the left of the mean, I subtracted 0.5 from the Z value (0.5-0.4999) and my answer came out to be 0.001

Can anyone please double check if I got the answer correct?

I'm a bit confused by the question when it says that it's normally distributed with a mean of 22 oz for a "supposedly 20 oz box." So is it implying that the mean is 22 or 20?
They are not implying, they are saying that the mean is 22.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ahhh.. The wordings of these problems are so confusing... But i guess they're meant to throw me off...

So i guess i got the answer correct then if I used 22 for the mean?
 

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