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Thursday, December 10, 2015

Thursday HW

Tonight, please complete the "Expected Value, Variance, and the Normal Model" worksheet provided in class (or below).

Tomorrow in class we'll do some practice AP problems (in groups); then, on Monday we'll have our chapter 16 vocab quiz and do some more chapter 16 to wrap up! See you there!

Here's the homework in case you lost yours or were out:

Expected Value, Variance, and the Normal Model 
Suppose that on a classroom statistics test, the mean test score on the first exam was 75 and the standard deviation was 6 points. Further, a distribution of these scores proves to be unimodal and symmetric. Now, let’s suppose your teacher turns your next test into a sort-of “game show.” That is, he/she will pay you different sums of money for different scores. We will assume that students’ scores are a random variable and subsequent tests will reflect the Normal model of the first exam. The payout will break down as follows:
a.       Under 60 points: $0
b.      From 60 to 80 points: $50
c.       80 – 90 points: $100
d.      Over 90 points: $200

1.       Find the probability that each score falls within the ranges identified above. (Hint: when we need probabilities or proportions under a Normal curve, where do we have to look?) You should list your four answers clearly, and show all work in the calculation of each.  (4 points)

2.       Using your answers from (1) above, create a probability distribution for the expected amount of earnings after the upcoming test. (Your table should include a column for each outcome ($) and its probability). (2 points)

3.       Find the expected value and variance of your earnings from the test. (Remember variance is standard deviation, squared!) (2 points)

4.       Interpret your expected value from (3) above in a complete sentence, in context. (2 points)

5.       After a few tests, your teacher is too broke from shelling out cash for students’ good scores. So, to continue this policy, he’ll need to collect some sort of fee for you to “play.”

a.       Based on your expected value, how much would you be willing to pay to play this sort of game with your test scores? Explain your reasoning in detail. (2 points)


  1. If the teacher plans to quintuple each prize (multiply by 5), find the new expected value and variance. (2 points)
  2. Suppose you were going to play this game three times and add your earnings each time. Find the expected value and variance for 3 consecutive plays. (2 points)

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