Math Problem Statement

For students Grades the mean is 78 with a standard deviation of 12.4 A, the shape is not symmetrical at least what percent of grades students have grades between 65 and 91

Solution

To determine the percentage of students with grades between 65 and 91, we can use Chebyshev’s Theorem since the shape of the distribution is not symmetrical. Chebyshev’s Theorem provides a minimum percentage of data that falls within kk standard deviations from the mean for any distribution.

Step 1: Calculate kk

The mean (μ\mu) is 78, and the standard deviation (σ\sigma) is 12.4. We calculate kk as the number of standard deviations for the interval [65, 91]:

  1. Distance from 65 to the mean:
    6578=13|65 - 78| = 13

  2. Distance from 91 to the mean:
    9178=13|91 - 78| = 13

Thus, the interval [65, 91] is 13 units away from the mean on either side. To find kk: k=1312.41.048k = \frac{13}{12.4} \approx 1.048

Step 2: Apply Chebyshev’s Theorem

Chebyshev’s Theorem states that at least 11k21 - \frac{1}{k^2} of the data lies within kk standard deviations of the mean. Substituting k1.048k \approx 1.048:

Proportion=11(1.048)2111.09810.91=0.09\text{Proportion} = 1 - \frac{1}{(1.048)^2} \approx 1 - \frac{1}{1.098} \approx 1 - 0.91 = 0.09

This means at least 9% of the data lies outside the interval. Therefore, at least 91% of the grades are within the interval [65, 91].

Final Answer:

At least 91% of students' grades fall between 65 and 91.

Would you like a detailed breakdown of Chebyshev’s Theorem, or to apply this concept to a different question?


Relative Questions:

  1. What is Chebyshev’s Theorem, and why is it useful for non-symmetric distributions?
  2. How does the calculation of kk vary with different intervals?
  3. What happens to the percentage when kk increases or decreases?
  4. Can this problem be solved using the Empirical Rule if the shape were symmetric?
  5. How do you interpret results outside the interval in this context?

Tip:

For symmetric distributions like normal distributions, the Empirical Rule is often quicker and more precise than Chebyshev’s Theorem.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Statistics
Data Distribution
Chebyshev's Theorem

Formulas

k = (distance from mean) / (standard deviation)
Proportion = 1 - (1 / k^2)

Theorems

Chebyshev's Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12