Statistics and Probability

Sampling and Sampling Distribution

NAME: _________________________________ SECTION: _________________

TEACHER: ______________________________ DATE SUBMITTED: __________

WORKSHEET 1: PROBLEM SOLVING INVOLVING SAMPLING DISTRIBUTION

OF THE SAMPLE MEAN

Instruction: Study the given illustrative examples. Then, answer the given exercises on the answer sheet.

Illustrative Example 1:

The mean serum cholesterol of a large population of overweight adults is 220 mg/dl, and the
standard deviation is 16.3 mg/dl. Researchers select 30 adults as their sample. Find the probability that
the mean will be between 220 and 222 mg/dl.

Step 1: Analyze the The problem asked for the probability that the mean will be
problem. between 220 and 222. Hence, we have to find the 𝑃 (220 < 𝑥̅ <
222).

Step 2: Calculate the σ

σ x=
standard error. √n
16.3
σ x=
√ 30
σ x ≈2.98

Step 3: Write down the

point of interest 𝑥̅ and
locate the corresponding
area on the normal curve.

Step 4: Standardize the If 𝑥̅ = 220, then

value of 𝑥̅ to 𝑧-score using x−µ
z=
x−µ σ
the formula z=
σx √n
2 20−220
z=
16.3
√30
z=0

If 𝑥̅ = 222, then
x−µ
z=
σ
√n
2 22−220
z=
16.3
√30
 Statistics and Probability
Sampling and Sampling Distribution
z ≈ 0.67

Step 5: Use the normal If 𝑧 = 0.67, then 𝑃 (𝑥̅ < 222) = 0.7486.
distribution table to
locate the probability of
𝑧 = 0.67 and 𝑧 = 0.

If 𝑧 = 0, then 𝑃(𝑥̅ < 220) = 0.5000.

Step 6: Find 𝑃(220 < 𝑥̅ 𝑃(220 < 𝑥̅ < 222) = 𝑃(𝑥̅ < 222) - 𝑃(𝑥̅ < 220)
< 222) 𝑃(220 < 𝑥̅ < 222) = 0.7486 - 0.5000
𝑃(220 < 𝑥̅ < 222) = 0.2486

Therefore, the probability that the mean will be between

220 and 222 mg/dl is 𝟎. 𝟐𝟒𝟖𝟔

Illustrative Example 2:

The average age of accountants in a firm is 43 years, with a standard deviation of 5 years. If they employ
30 more
accountants, find the probability that the average age of the group is greater than 44.2 years.

Step 1: Analyze the problem. The problem asked for the probability that the
mean is greater than 44.2. Hence, we have to find
the 𝑃 (𝑥̅ > 44.2).
Step 2: Calculate the standard error. σ
σ x=
√n
5
σ x=
√ 30
σ x ≈ 0.91
 Statistics and Probability
Sampling and Sampling Distribution
Step 3: Write down the point of interest 𝑥̅ and
locate the corresponding area on the normal
curve.

Step 4: Standardize the value of 𝑥̅ to 𝑧-score using x−µ

z=
x−µ σ
the formula z=
σx √n
44.2−43
z=
5
√ 30
z ≈1.31

Step 5: Use the normal distribution table to

locate the probability of 𝑧 =1.31.

If 𝑧 = 1.31, then 𝑃(𝑥̅ < 44.2) = 0.9049.

Step 6: Find 𝑃 (𝑥̅ > 44.2) Recall that 𝑃(𝑥̅ > 44.2) is equal to 1 - 𝑃(𝑥̅ < 44.2).
Hence,

𝑃(𝑥̅ > 44.2) = 1 - 𝑃(𝑥̅ < 44.2)

𝑃(𝑥̅ > 44.2) = 1 - 0.9049
𝑃(𝑥̅ > 44.2) = 0.0951

Thus, the probability that the average age of the group is

44.2 is 𝟎. 𝟎𝟗𝟓𝟏.

Illustrative Example 3:

The average breaking strength of a certain brand of steel is 2 500 pounds with a standard deviation of 100
pounds. They will be testing 20 cables as a sample. Find the probability that the sample mean that will cut
off the steels is less than 2 475 pounds.

Step 1: Analyze the problem. The problem asked for the probability that the sample
mean is less than 2 475. Hence, we have to find the
𝑃 (𝑥̅ < 2 475)

Step 2: Calculate the standard error. σ

σ x=
√n
 Statistics and Probability
Sampling and Sampling Distribution
100
σ x=
√ 20
σ x ≈22.36

Step 3: Write down the point of interest 𝑥̅ and

locate the corresponding area on the normal
curve.

Step 4: Standardize the value of 𝑥̅ to 𝑧-score using x−µ

z=
x−µ σ
the formula z=
σx √n
2475−2500
z=
100
√ 20
z ≈−1.12

Step 5: Use the normal distribution table to

locate the probability of 𝑧 =-1.12.

Step 6: 𝑃 (𝑥̅ < 2 475) Thus, the probability that the sample has a mean less than
2 475 pounds is 𝟎. 𝟏𝟑𝟏𝟒.

It’s your turn!

1. Researchers conducted a survey on proper waste management. They found that a family
generates an average of 17.2 pounds of garbage per week with a standard deviation of 2.5 pounds.
Find the probability that the mean of a sample of 55 families will be between 17 and 18 pounds.

2. The mean hemoglobin level in the blood for a certain large group of patients is 21.0 g/ml with a
standard deviation of 2 g/ml. If a sample of 25 patients is selected, find the probability that the
mean will be greater than 21.3 g/ml.

3. Suppose a random sample of 15 observations is selected from a population that is normally

distributed. The mean is equal to 80, and the standard deviation is 4. Find the probability that the
sample mean will be less than 77.
 Statistics and Probability
Sampling and Sampling Distribution

Bibliography
QUIPPER SCHOOL
Bluman A.G. “Elementary Statistics: A step by step approach Eight Edition”. McGraw-Hill. USA. 2012

Glen, Stephanie. “Sampling Distribution: Definition, Types, Examples.” Statistics How To.
Retrieved 17 July 2019 from https://bit.ly/32WSZ8T

Glen, Stephanie. “Probability and Statistics Topic Index.” Statistics How To. Retrieved July 17
2019 from https://bit.ly/310Ttc9

NAME: _________________________________ SECTION: _________________

TEACHER: ______________________________ DATE SUBMITTED: __________

WORKSHEET 1 (ANSWER SHEET)

PROBLEM SOLVING INVOLVING SAMPLING DISTRIBUTION OF
THE SAMPLE MEAN