Probability Question - Nonstandard Normal Distributions

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Homework Statement

The weight of eggs produced by a certain type of hen varies according to a distribution that is approximately normal with mean 6.5 grams and standard deviation 2 grams.

What is the probability that the average of a random sample of the weights of 25 eggs will be less than 6 grams



Homework Equations


P(X<6)=P((6-6.5)/σ)



The Attempt at a Solution

- The part I can't figure out is how to arrive at sigma. This is a problem from a practice exam, so I already know that sigma is 0.40. If I'm understanding correctly, then that would make V(X) = 4/25. I just can't figure out how to arrive at these conclusion from the data that is given. I'm pretty stumped.
 
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your problem asks about the probability the MEAN of a sample will be a certain size. what do you know about distributions of sample means?
 
statdad said:
your problem asks about the probability the MEAN of a sample will be a certain size. what do you know about distributions of sample means?

Not much.

I think I figured out why sigma is what it is though. Since the SD is 2 grams, it follows that V(X) = 4. Since I'm trying to find out what the average of X is, I divide 4 by 25. that is how I get the 4/25. From there sigma is easy. I think that is kind of close anyway.
 
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You've essentially got it. If you take a sample of size n from a normally distributed population, then \overline X has a normal distribution. For the
distribution of \overline X,

<br /> \mu = \text{ original population mean}<br />

and

<br /> \sigma = \frac{\text{Original standard deviation}}{\sqrt n}<br />

As long as the original population itself has a normal distribution, this is true
for any sample size.
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
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