How Do Standard Deviations Affect Probability in Statistics Problems?

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The discussion revolves around calculating probabilities related to standard deviations in a statistical context. For the first question, it is confirmed that the probability of selecting a number over 2 standard deviations from the mean is indeed 0%, as this exceeds the maximum value of 7. The second question raises confusion about the necessity of taking 30 samples, with clarification that the standard deviation in this case refers to the standard deviation of the sample mean, not the original data set. This distinction is crucial for understanding how to calculate the probability for the sample mean. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly interpreting standard deviations in statistical problems.
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Homework Statement



My mean is 5.80
My standard deviation is 0.64
The largest number does not exceed 7

1) What is the probablity the probability of randomly selecting a number, and the number being over 2 σ from the mean.

2) For a sample of 30, what is the probablity the mean will be over 2 SD from the mean? 2. The attempt at a solution

1) It must be 0%, correct? As 2 sd greater than the mean exceeds all values there are?

2) This is the one that puzzles me. I genuinely do not understand why 30 samples do not have to be taken. Perhaps, it also has something to do with 2 σ from the mean exceeding all values?
 
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939 said:

Homework Statement



My mean is 5.80
My standard deviation is 0.64
The largest number does not exceed 7

1) What is the probablity the probability of randomly selecting a number, and the number being over 2 σ from the mean.

2) For a sample of 30, what is the probablity the mean will be over 2 SD from the mean? 2. The attempt at a solution

1) It must be 0%, correct? As 2 sd greater than the mean exceeds all values there are?

2) This is the one that puzzles me. I genuinely do not understand why 30 samples do not have to be taken. Perhaps, it also has something to do with 2 σ from the mean exceeding all values?

You are correct about question 1). While a laywer could argue that the question 2) is ambiguous, I would think the meaning is clear enough: the σ in question 2) refers to the standard deviation of the sample mean, not the standard deviation of the underlying random variable. In other words, you need a σ that is different from 0.64; do you know what the correct value should be?

RGV
 
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Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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