Answer:
0.039 = 3.9% probability that the random sample of 16 people in the elevator will exceed the weight limit
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve this question, we need to understand the normal probability distribution and the central limit theorem.
Normal probability distribution
Problems of normally distributed samples are solved using the z-score formula.
In a set with mean
and standard deviation
, the zscore of a measure X is given by:
![Z = \frac{X - \mu}{\sigma}](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=Z%20%3D%20%5Cfrac%7BX%20-%20%5Cmu%7D%7B%5Csigma%7D)
The Z-score measures how many standard deviations the measure is from the mean. After finding the Z-score, we look at the z-score table and find the p-value associated with this z-score. This p-value is the probability that the value of the measure is smaller than X, that is, the percentile of X. Subtracting 1 by the pvalue, we get the probability that the value of the measure is greater than X.
Central Limit Theorem
The Central Limit Theorem estabilishes that, for a normally distributed random variable X, with mean
and standard deviation
, the sampling distribution of the sample means with size n can be approximated to a normal distribution with mean
and standard deviation
.
For a skewed variable, the Central Limit Theorem can also be applied, as long as n is at least 30.
If n variables are added, the mean is
and the standard deviation is ![s = \sqrt{n}\sigma](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=s%20%3D%20%5Csqrt%7Bn%7D%5Csigma)
In this problem:
![n = 16, \mu = 160*16 = 2560, s = \sqrt{16}*27 = 108](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=n%20%3D%2016%2C%20%5Cmu%20%3D%20160%2A16%20%3D%202560%2C%20s%20%3D%20%5Csqrt%7B16%7D%2A27%20%3D%20108)
What is the probability that the random sample of 16 people in the elevator will exceed the weight limit?
This is 1 subtracted by the pvalue of Z when X = 2750. So
![Z = \frac{X - \mu}{\sigma}](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=Z%20%3D%20%5Cfrac%7BX%20-%20%5Cmu%7D%7B%5Csigma%7D)
By the Central Limit Theorem
![Z = \frac{X - \mu}{s}](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=Z%20%3D%20%5Cfrac%7BX%20-%20%5Cmu%7D%7Bs%7D)
![Z = \frac{2750 - 2560}{108}](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=Z%20%3D%20%5Cfrac%7B2750%20-%202560%7D%7B108%7D)
![Z = 1.76](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=Z%20%3D%201.76)
has a pvalue of 0.961
1 - 0.961 = 0.039
0.039 = 3.9% probability that the random sample of 16 people in the elevator will exceed the weight limit