Standard deviations and probabilities

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating probabilities related to a sample containing 0.600 ppm Selenium, with a known population standard deviation of 0.005 ppm. The first calculation determines that the probability of a single measurement being less than 0.590 ppm is 2.28%, derived from the area under the normal curve. The second calculation, concerning the average of four determinations, indicates a probability of 0.0032% for values below 0.590 ppm. The relevant equation for these calculations involves the z-score, which incorporates the mean, standard deviation, and sample size.

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Homework Statement


Suppose a sample containing 0.600 ppm Selenium is analyzed by a method for which the standard deviation of the population is known to be 0.005 ppm.
1) What is the the probability that a single determination would return a value less than 0.590 ppm?
2) What is the probability that the average for 4 determinations would be less than 0.590 ppm?

Homework Equations


the table at the bottom of http://64.233.167.104/custom?q=cache:bdW_K0aRhzEJ:www.palgrave.com/business/taylor/taylor1/lecturers/lectures/handouts/hChap5.doc+chart+area+beneath+normal+curve+standard+deviations&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&client=pub-8993703457585266" page tells the area under a normal curve for different standard deviations.

The Attempt at a Solution


for 1) we look on the table for 2.0 standard deviations below the mean, and see that the area under the curve is 0.4772. and at infinite standard deviations, the area is necessarily 0.5000.
so to return a value in this range (less than 0.590 ppm) the solution is ( 0.5 - 0.4772 ) * 100%
= 2.28%

for 2) i don't even know where to start. the answer given is 0.0032%. this table doesn't go far enough, but the probability of finding a value less than 0.580 (or 4 standard deviations below) is 0.0032%. I don't know whether that is relevant or not.
the internets and my textbook combined were less than helpful on this as well.
please help!

thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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all right! I found the equation to govern this.

let z be the number of standard deviations away from the mean
... u be the mean
... x be the value of a determination
... n be the number of determinations
... s be the standard deviation

z = (| u - x | * (n)^(1/2)) / s
 

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