Probability - Amount of money in pocket

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mathmari
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Money Probability
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a probability problem involving a normally distributed random variable representing the amount of money a student in the Accounting Department has in their pocket. Participants explore various aspects of the problem, including calculations for specific probabilities and interpretations of the questions posed.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that the amount of money follows a normal distribution with a mean of $30$ euros and a variance of $100$, and begins calculations for the probability that a student has between $25$ and $35$ euros.
  • Another participant suggests that the distribution of the sum of independent Gaussian random variables should be considered for part (b) and implies that the problem is similar to part (a).
  • There is a question about whether technology can be used for calculations, with some participants humorously debating the definition of technology.
  • A participant raises concerns about the ambiguity in the phrasing of parts (b) and (c), questioning whether the intent is to find the probability that at least one of the 25 students has less than $20$ euros or if all must have less than that amount.
  • Another participant expresses confusion regarding the interpretation of how much money $75\%$ of students have, questioning whether it refers to a total amount or a specific value that $75\%$ of students possess.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the problem's wording, particularly regarding the ambiguity in parts (b) and (c). There is no consensus on how to approach these ambiguities, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential ambiguities in the problem statement, particularly regarding the interpretation of probabilities and the specific meanings of the questions posed.

mathmari
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
4,984
Reaction score
7
Hey! :giggle:

The amount of money a student in the Accounting Department has in his pocket is a random variable that follows the normal distribution, with an average price of $30$ euros and a variance of $100$.

a) What is the probability that a student has $25$ to $35$ euros in his pocket?

b) If we randomly select $25$ students, then what is the probability that a student has less than $20$ euros in his pocket?

c) How much money does $75\%$ of students have in their pocket?
I have done the following :

a) We have that the standard deviation is equal to $\sqrt{100}=10$.

Do we have to use the $z$-score?

We have that $Z=\frac{X-\mu}{\sigma}=\frac{X-30}{10}$.
Then \begin{align*}P(25\leq X\leq 35)&=P(X\leq 35)-P(X\leq 25)\\ & =P\left (Z\leq \frac{35-30}{10}\right )-P\left (Z\leq \frac{25-30}{10}\right )\\ & =P\left (Z\leq 0.5\right )-P\left (Z\leq 0.5\right )\end{align*} Is that correct so far? b) Could you give me a hint?

:unsure:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
a) read your text

b) given a set of independent Gaussian random variables what is the distribution of their sum? Don't know? Read your text.
Once you've established that the problem is the similar to (a)

c) Use the inverse of the CDF of the standard normal to find the z-score of 0.75. Convert the z-score into how much money using the mean and standard deviation as usual.
 
Are you allowed to use technology?
 
I always considered paper and pencil "technology". They don't grow on trees!
 
Country Boy said:
I always considered paper and pencil "technology". They don't grow on trees!

Last time I checked, both paper and pencils do in fact come from trees...

But I digress, either the OP will need to use a calculator with a Normal Probability function on it to get the values, or else refer to a normal table. That is why I asked...
 
Yes, "come from trees". Buy I said "grow on trees". I takes technology to convert trees to paper and pencils!
 
mathmari said:
Hey! :giggle:

The amount of money a student in the Accounting Department has in his pocket is a random variable that follows the normal distribution, with an average price of $30$ euros and a variance of $100$.

a) What is the probability that a student has $25$ to $35$ uueuros in his pocket?

b) If we randomly select $25$ students, then what is the probability that a student has less than $20$ euros in his pocket?
This seems to me to be ambiguous. Does it mean "at least one of the 25 students is less than 20 euros" or "all 25 have less than 20 Euros"?

c) How much money does $75\%$ of students have in their pocket?
Also ambiguous- the total of 75% of the students? And which 75%? It might be intended that 75% of the students have the same amount and that is what is being asked.

I have done the following :

a) We have that the standard deviation is equal to $\sqrt{100}=10$.

Do we have to use the $z$-score?

We have that $Z=\frac{X-\mu}{\sigma}=\frac{X-30}{10}$.
Then \begin{align*}P(25\leq X\leq 35)&=P(X\leq 35)-P(X\leq 25)\\ & =P\left (Z\leq \frac{35-30}{10}\right )-P\left (Z\leq \frac{25-30}{10}\right )\\ & =P\left (Z\leq 0.5\right )-P\left (Z\leq 0.5\right )\end{align*} Is that correct so far?b) Could you give me a hint?

:unsure:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K