IBDP Maths SL 4.9 normal distribution AA HL Paper 2- Exam Style Questions- New Syllabus

Question

At Eve’s Apple Orchard, the weight of the apples, denoted by \( W \) grams, follows a normal distribution with a mean of 175 grams and a standard deviation of 8 grams.
(a) Calculate the probability that an apple selected at random weighs less than 170 grams.
(b) It is observed that 20% of the apples weigh more than \( w \) grams. Determine the value of \( w \) to four significant figures.
Apples are categorized as “premium” if their weight falls between 170 grams and 185 grams.
(c) Determine the proportion of apples at Eve’s Apple Orchard that are classified as premium.
Surplus apples are randomly packed into boxes, with each box containing 40 apples.
(d) Calculate the probability that a randomly selected box contains at least 30 premium apples.
(e) Suppose 10 boxes are chosen at random. Find the probability that exactly 4 of these boxes contain at least 30 premium apples.
At a nearby orchard, the apple weights \( M \) are normally distributed with mean \( \mu \) and standard deviation \( \sigma \). The following is known:
• 82% of the apples are classified as premium (weighing between 170 g and 185 g).
• The proportion of apples weighing less than 170 g is double the proportion of apples weighing more than 185 g.
(f) Calculate the value of \( \mu \).

Syllabus Topic Codes (IB Mathematics AA HL):

SL 4.9: Normal probability calculations; inverse normal calculations — parts (a), (b), (c) 
SL 4.8: Binomial distribution situations and calculations — parts (d), (e) 
SL 4.12: Standardization of normal variables (z-values); inverse normal calculations where mean and standard deviation are unknown — part (f)
▶️ Answer/Explanation

(a)
Let \( W \sim N(175, 8^2) \).
Using technology to find \( P(W < 170) \):
\( P(W < 170) \approx 0.265985 \).
Answer: \( \boxed{0.266} \) (26.6%)


(b)
Given \( P(W > w) = 0.2 \), which implies \( P(W < w) = 0.8 \).
Using the inverse normal function:
\( w \approx 181.732 \).
Answer: \( \boxed{181.7 \text{ g}} \)


(c)
Premium apples are in the range \( 170 < W < 185 \).
\( P(170 < W < 185) \approx 0.628364 \).
Answer: \( \boxed{62.8\%} \)


(d)
Let \( X \) be the number of premium apples in a box of 40.
\( X \sim B(40, p) \) where \( p \approx 0.628364 \).
We need \( P(X \geq 30) \). Using binomial CDF:
\( P(X \geq 30) = 1 – P(X \leq 29) \approx 0.073861 \).
Answer: \( \boxed{0.0739} \)


(e)
Let \( Y \) be the number of boxes satisfying the condition out of 10.
\( Y \sim B(10, 0.073861) \).
We need \( P(Y = 4) \).
\( P(Y = 4) \approx 0.003944 \).
Answer: \( \boxed{0.00394} \)


(f)
Let \( P(M < 170) = x \). Since \( P(M < 170) = 2 P(M > 185) \), then \( P(M > 185) = 0.5x \).
The total probability sums to 1:
\( x + 0.82 + 0.5x = 1 \implies 1.5x = 0.18 \implies x = 0.12 \).
So, \( P(M < 170) = 0.12 \) and \( P(M < 185) = 0.12 + 0.82 = 0.94 \).

Find the corresponding z-scores:
\( z_1 = \Phi^{-1}(0.12) \approx -1.17499 \)
\( z_2 = \Phi^{-1}(0.94) \approx 1.55477 \)
Set up the standardization equations:
1) \( \frac{170 – \mu}{\sigma} = -1.17499 \implies 170 – \mu = -1.17499\sigma \)
2) \( \frac{185 – \mu}{\sigma} = 1.55477 \implies 185 – \mu = 1.55477\sigma \)
Subtract equation (1) from (2):
\( 15 = (1.55477 – (-1.17499))\sigma = 2.72976\sigma \)
\( \sigma = \frac{15}{2.72976} \approx 5.49499 \).
Substitute \( \sigma \) back to find \( \mu \):
\( \mu = 170 + 1.17499(5.49499) \approx 176.456 \).
Answer: \( \boxed{176 \text{ g}} \)

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