Normal Distribution [329 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 16] [Link].TZ2.10

A farmer is growing a field of wheat plants. The height, H cm, of each plant can
be modelled by a normal distribution with mean μ and standard deviation σ.

It is known that P(H < 94. 6) = 0. 288 and P(H > 98. 1) = 0. 434.

(a) Find the probability that the height of a randomly selected

plant is between 94. 6 cm and 98. 1 cm. [2]

(b) Find the value of μ and the value of σ. [5]

The farmer measures 100 randomly selected plants. Any plant with a height
greater than 98. 1 cm is considered ready to harvest. Heights of plants are
independent of each other.

(c.i) Find the probability that exactly 34 plants are ready to harvest. [2]

([Link]) Given that fewer than 49 plants are ready to harvest, find the
probability that exactly 34 plants are ready to harvest. [4]

In another field, the farmer is growing the same variety of wheat, but is using a
different fertilizer. The heights of these plants, F cm, are normally distributed
with mean 98. 6 and standard deviation d. The farmer finds the interquartile
range to be 4. 82 cm.

(d) Find the value of d. [3]

2. [Maximum mark: 8] [Link].TZ0.H_3

It is known that 56 % of Infiglow batteries have a life of less than 16 hours, and
94 % have a life less than 17 hours. It can be assumed that battery life is modelled
by the normal distribution N (μ, σ ).
2
 (a) Find the value of μ and the value of σ. [6]

(b) Find the probability that a randomly selected Infiglow battery

will have a life of at least 15 hours. [2]

3. [Maximum mark: 7] [Link].TZ1.H_6

Let X be a random variable which follows a normal distribution with mean μ.
Given that P (X < μ − 5) = 0.2 , find

(a) P (X > μ + 5). [2]

(b) P (X < μ + 5 | X > μ − 5). [5]

4. [Maximum mark: 5] [Link].TZ2.6

A farmer grows two types of apples—cooking apples and eating apples. The
weights of the apples, in grams, can be modelled as normal distributions with
the following parameters.

For each type of apple you can assume that 95 % of the weights are within two
standard deviations of the mean.

(a) Find the percentage of eating apples that have a weight greater
than 140 g. [1]

The farmer grows a large number of apples of which 80 % are eating apples.

Both types of apples are picked and randomly mixed together in a cleaning
machine.
 After cleaning, the machine separates out those that have a weight greater than
140 g into a container.

(b) An apple is randomly selected from this container. Find the

probability that it is an eating apple. Give your answer in the
form c

d
, where c, +
d ∈ Z . [4]

5. [Maximum mark: 15] [Link].TZ0.8

The length, X mm, of a certain species of seashell is normally distributed with
mean 25 and variance, σ2.

The probability that X is less than 24.15 is 0.1446.

(a) Find P(24.15 < X < 25). [2]

(b.i) Find σ, the standard deviation of X. [3]

([Link]) Hence, find the probability that a seashell selected at random

has a length greater than 26 mm. [2]

A random sample of 10 seashells is collected on a beach. Let Y represent the

number of seashells with lengths greater than 26 mm.

(c) Find E(Y). [3]

(d) Find the probability that exactly three of these seashells have a
length greater than 26 mm. [2]

(e) A seashell selected at random has a length less than 26 mm.

Find the probability that its length is between 24.15 mm and 25

mm. [3]

6. [Maximum mark: 5] [Link].TZ1.4

 A company manufactures metal tubes for bicycle frames. The
diameters of the tubes, D mm, are normally distributed with mean
32 and standard deviation σ. The interquartile range of the diameters

is 0. 28.

Find the value of σ. [5]

7. [Maximum mark: 4] [Link].TZ1.3

The random variable X is normally distributed with mean 10 and standard
deviation 2.

(a) Find the probability that X is more than 1. 5 standard

deviations above the mean. [2]

The probability that X is more than k standard deviations above the mean is
0. 1, where k ∈ R.

(b) Find the value of k. [2]

8. [Maximum mark: 15] [Link].TZ0.8

The time, T minutes, taken to complete a jigsaw puzzle can be modelled by a
normal distribution with mean μ and standard deviation 8. 6.

It is found that 30% of times taken to complete the jigsaw puzzle are longer
than 36. 8 minutes.

(a) By stating and solving an appropriate equation, show, correct

to two decimal places, that μ = 32. 29. [4]

Use μ = 32. 29 in the remainder of the question.

(b) Find the 86th percentile time to complete the jigsaw puzzle. [2]
 (c) Find the probability that a randomly chosen person will take
more than 30 minutes to complete the jigsaw puzzle. [2]

Six randomly chosen people complete the jigsaw puzzle.

(d) Find the probability that at least five of them will take more
than 30 minutes to complete the jigsaw puzzle. [3]

(e) Having spent 25 minutes attempting the jigsaw puzzle, a

randomly chosen person had not yet completed the puzzle.

Find the probability that this person will take more than 30
minutes to complete the jigsaw puzzle. [4]

9. [Maximum mark: 16] [Link].TZ1.9

A farmer is growing a field of rice plants. The height, H cm, of each plant can be
modelled by a normal distribution with mean μ and standard deviation σ.

It is known that P(H < 82. 4) = 0. 213 and P(H > 87. 3) = 0. 409.

(a) Find the probability that the height of a randomly selected

plant is between 82. 4 cm and 87. 3 cm. [2]

(b) Find the value of μ and the value of ο. [5]

The farmer measures 100 randomly selected plants. Any plant with a height
greater than 87. 3 cm is considered ready to harvest. Heights of plants are
independent of each other.

(c.i) Find the probability that exactly 32 plants are ready to harvest. [2]

([Link]) Given that fewer than 44 plants are ready to harvest, find the
probability that exactly 32 plants are ready to harvest. [4]
 In another field, the farmer is growing the same variety of rice, but is using a
different fertilizer. The heights of these plants, F cm, are normally distributed
with mean 92. 8 and standard deviation d. The farmer finds the interquartile
range to be 4. 52 cm.

(d) Find the value of d. [3]

10. [Maximum mark: 16] [Link].TZ2.10

A farmer is growing a field of wheat plants. The height, H cm, of each plant can
be modelled by a normal distribution with mean μ and standard deviation σ.

It is known that P(H < 94. 6) = 0. 288 and P(H > 98. 1) = 0. 434.

(a) Find the probability that the height of a randomly selected

plant is between 94. 6 cm and 98. 1 cm. [2]

(b) Find the value of μ and the value of σ. [5]

The farmer measures 100 randomly selected plants. Any plant with a height
greater than 98. 1 cm is considered ready to harvest. Heights of plants are
independent of each other.

(c.i) Find the probability that exactly 34 plants are ready to harvest. [2]

([Link]) Given that fewer than 49 plants are ready to harvest, find the
probability that exactly 34 plants are ready to harvest. [4]

In another field, the farmer is growing the same variety of wheat, but is using a
different fertilizer. The heights of these plants, F cm, are normally distributed
with mean 98. 6 and standard deviation d. The farmer finds the interquartile
range to be 4. 82 cm.

(d) Find the value of d. [3]

11. [Maximum mark: 5] [Link].TZ1.5
A company manufactures metal tubes for bicycle frames. The
diameters of the tubes, D mm, are normally distributed with mean
32 and standard deviation σ. The interquartile range of the diameters

is 0. 28.

Find the value of σ. [5]

12. [Maximum mark: 5] [Link].TZ1.4

A company manufactures metal tubes for bicycle frames. The
diameters of the tubes, D mm, are normally distributed with mean
32 and standard deviation σ. The interquartile range of the diameters

is 0. 28.

Find the value of σ. [5]

13. [Maximum mark: 16] [Link].TZ0.9

The time worked, T , in hours per week by employees of a large company is
normally distributed with a mean of 42 and standard deviation 10. 7.

(a) Find the probability that an employee selected at random

works more than 40 hours per week. [2]

(b) A group of four employees is selected at random. Each

employee is asked in turn whether they work more than 40
hours per week. Find the probability that the fourth employee
is the only one in the group who works more than 40 hours per
week. [3]

A large group of employees work more than 40 hours per week.

 (c.i) An employee is selected at random from this large group.

Find the probability that this employee works less than 55

hours per week. [4]

([Link]) Ten employees are selected at random from this large group.

Find the probability that exactly five of them work less than 55
hours per week. [3]

It is known that P(a ≤ T ≤ b) = 0. 904 and that

P(T > b) = 2P(T < a), where a and b are numbers of hours worked per
week. An employee who works fewer than a hours per week is considered to be
a part-time employee.

(d) Find the maximum time, in hours per week, that an employee
can work and still be considered part-time. [4]

14. [Maximum mark: 16] [Link].TZ1.9

A bakery makes two types of muffins: chocolate muffins and banana muffins.

The weights, C grams, of the chocolate muffins are normally distributed with a
mean of 62 g and standard deviation of 2. 9 g.

(a) Find the probability that a randomly selected chocolate muffin

weighs less than 61 g. [2]

(b) In a random selection of 12 chocolate muffins, find the

probability that exactly 5 weigh less than 61 g. [2]

The weights, B grams, of the banana muffins are normally distributed with a
mean of 68 g and standard deviation of 3. 4 g.

Each day 60% of the muffins made are chocolate.

 On a particular day, a muffin is randomly selected from all those made at the
bakery.
(c.i) Find the probability that the randomly selected muffin weighs
less than 61 g. [4]

([Link]) Given that a randomly selected muffin weighs less than 61 g,

find the probability that it is chocolate. [3]

The machine that makes the chocolate muffins is adjusted so that the mean
weight of the chocolate muffins remains the same but their standard deviation
changes to σ g. The machine that makes the banana muffins is not adjusted. The
probability that the weight of a randomly selected muffin from these machines is
less than 61 g is now 0. 157.

(d) Find the value of σ. [5]

15. [Maximum mark: 18] [Link].TZ2.9

The time it takes Suzi to drive from home to work each morning is normally
distributed with a mean of 35 minutes and a standard deviation of σ minutes.

On 25% of days, it takes Suzi longer than 40 minutes to drive to work.

(a) Find the value of σ. [4]

(b) On a randomly selected day, find the probability that Suzi’s

drive to work will take longer than 45 minutes. [2]

Suzi will be late to work if it takes her longer than 45 minutes to drive to work.
The time it takes to drive to work each day is independent of any other day.

Suzi will work five days next week.

(c) Find the probability that she will be late to work at least one
day next week. [3]
 (d) Given that Suzi will be late to work at least one day next week,
find the probability that she will be late less than three times. [5]

Suzi will work 22 days this month. She will receive a bonus if she is on time at
least 20 of those days.

So far this month, she has worked 16 days and been on time 15 of those days.

(e) Find the probability that Suzi will receive a bonus. [4]

16. [Maximum mark: 7] [Link].TZ2.8

Rachel and Sophia are competing in a javelin-throwing competition.

The distances, R metres, thrown by Rachel can be modelled by a

normal distribution with mean 56. 5 and standard deviation 3.

The distances, S metres, thrown by Sophia can be modelled by a

normal distribution with mean 57. 5 and standard deviation 1. 8.

In the first round of competition, each competitor must have five

throws. To qualify for the next round of competition, a competitor must
record at least one throw of 60 metres or greater in the first round.

Find the probability that only one of Rachel or Sophia qualifies for the
next round of competition. [7]

17. [Maximum mark: 6] [Link].TZ1.3

A company produces bags of sugar whose masses, in grams, can be modelled by
a normal distribution with mean 1000 and standard deviation 3. 5. A bag of
sugar is rejected for sale if its mass is less than 995 grams.

(a) Find the probability that a bag selected at random is rejected. [2]
 (b) Estimate the number of bags which will be rejected from a
random sample of 100 bags. [1]

(c) Given that a bag is not rejected, find the probability that it has a
mass greater than 1005 grams. [3]

18. [Maximum mark: 15] [Link].TZ2.8

The flight times, T minutes, between two cities can be modelled by a normal
distribution with a mean of 75 minutes and a standard deviation of σ minutes.

(a) Given that 2% of the flight times are longer than 82 minutes,
find the value of σ. [3]

(b) Find the probability that a randomly selected flight will have a
flight time of more than 80 minutes. [2]

(c) Given that a flight between the two cities takes longer than 80
minutes, find the probability that it takes less than 82 minutes. [4]

On a particular day, there are 64 flights scheduled between these two cities.

(d) Find the expected number of flights that will have a flight time
of more than 80 minutes. [3]

(e) Find the probability that more than 6 of the flights on this
particular day will have a flight time of more than 80 minutes. [3]

19. [Maximum mark: 15] [Link].TZ2.8

The flight times, T minutes, between two cities can be modelled by a normal
distribution with a mean of 75 minutes and a standard deviation of σ minutes.
 (a) Given that 2% of the flight times are longer than 82 minutes,
find the value of σ. [3]

(b) Find the probability that a randomly selected flight will have a
flight time of more than 80 minutes. [2]

(c) Given that a flight between the two cities takes longer than 80
minutes, find the probability that it takes less than 82 minutes. [4]

On a particular day, there are 64 flights scheduled between these two cities.

(d) Find the expected number of flights that will have a flight time
of more than 80 minutes. [3]

(e) Find the probability that more than 6 of the flights on this
particular day will have a flight time of more than 80 minutes. [3]

20. [Maximum mark: 17] [Link].TZ0.T_6

Emlyn plays many games of basketball for his school team. The number of
minutes he plays in each game follows a normal distribution with mean m
minutes.

In any game there is a 30 % chance he will play less than 13. 6 minutes.

(a) Sketch a diagram to represent this information. [2]

In any game there is a 70 % chance he will play less than 17. 8 minutes.

(b) Show that m = 15. 7. [2]

The standard deviation of the number of minutes Emlyn plays in any game is 4.

(c.i) Find the probability that Emlyn plays between 13 minutes

and 18 minutes in a game. [2]

 ([Link]) Find the probability that Emlyn plays more than 20 minutes

in a game. [2]

There is a 60 % chance Emlyn plays less than x minutes in a game.

(d) Find the value of x. [2]

Emlyn will play in two basketball games today.

(e) Find the probability he plays between 13 minutes and

18 minutes in one game and more than 20 minutes in

the other game. [3]

Emlyn and his teammate Johan each practise shooting the basketball multiple
times from a point X . A record of their performance over the weekend is shown
in the table below.

On Monday, Emlyn and Johan will practise and each will shoot 200 times from
point X .

(f ) Find the expected number of successful shots Emlyn will make

on Monday, based on the results from Saturday and Sunday. [2]

(g) Emlyn claims the results from Saturday and Sunday show that
his expected number of successful shots will be more than
Johan’s.

Determine if Emlyn’s claim is correct. Justify your reasoning. [2]

21. [Maximum mark: 14] [Link].TZ0.H_9

 The weights, in grams, of individual packets of coffee can be modelled by a
normal distribution, with mean 102 g and standard deviation 8 g.

(a) Find the probability that a randomly selected packet has a

weight less than 100 g. [2]

(b) The probability that a randomly selected packet has a weight

greater than w grams is 0. 444. Find the value of w. [2]

(c) A packet is randomly selected. Given that the packet has a

weight greater than 105 g, find the probability that it has a
weight greater than 110 g. [3]

(d) From a random sample of 500 packets, determine the number

of packets that would be expected to have a weight lying
within 1. 5 standard deviations of the mean. [3]

(e) Packets are delivered to supermarkets in batches of 80.

Determine the probability that at least 20 packets from a
randomly selected batch have a weight less than 95 g. [4]

22. [Maximum mark: 31] [Link].TZ2.2

This question asks you to find the probability of graphs of randomly
generated quadratic functions having a specified number of x-intercepts.

In parts (a) – (f ), consider quadratic functions, f (x) = ax

2
+ bx + c, whose

coefficients, a, b and c, are randomly generated in turn by rolling an unbiased

six-sided die three times and reading off the value shown on the uppermost face
of the die.

For example, rolling a 2, 3 and 5 in turn generates the quadratic function

+ 3x + 5.
2
f (x) = 2x

(a) Explain why there are 216 possible quadratic functions that
can be generated using this method.
 [1]

(b) The set of coefficients, a = 1, b = 4 and c = 4, is randomly

generated to form the quadratic function

+ 4x + 4.
2
f (x) = x

Verify that this graph of f has only one x-intercept. [2]

(c) By considering the discriminant, or otherwise, show that the

probability of the graph of such a randomly generated
quadratic function having only one x-intercept is 216
5
. [6]

Now consider randomly generated quadratic functions whose corresponding

graphs have two distinct x-intercepts.

(d) By considering the discriminant, determine the set of possible

values of ac. [3]

(e.i) For the case where ac = 1, show that there are four quadratic
functions whose corresponding graphs have two distinct x-
intercepts. [1]

([Link]) For the case where ac = 2, show that there are eight
quadratic functions whose corresponding graphs have two
distinct x-intercepts. [2]

Let p be the probability of the graph of such a randomly generated quadratic

function having two distinct x-intercepts.

(f ) Using the approach started in part (e), or otherwise, find the

value of p. [6]

In parts (g) and (h), consider a randomly generated quadratic function,

+ 2Zx + 1, where the continuous random variable
2
f (x) = x

Z~N(0, 1).

(g) Find the probability that the graph of f has two x-intercepts. [3]
 The continuous random variables, X1 and X2, represent the x-intercepts of the
graph of f where X1 = −Z − √ Z − 1 and X2 = −Z + √ Z − 1.
2 2

(h) Given that the graph of f has two x-intercepts, X1 and X2,
find the probability that both X1 and X2 are greater than 0. 5. [7]

23. [Maximum mark: 6] [Link].TZ0.S_7

Let X and Y be normally distributed with X ∼ N (14, a ) and
2

Y ∼ N (22, a ), a > 0.
2

(a) Find b so that P (X > b) = P (Y < b). [2]

(b) It is given that P (X > 20) = 0.112.

Find P (16 < Y < 28). [4]

24. [Maximum mark: 15] [Link].TZ0.S_9

SpeedWay airline flies from city A to city B. The flight time is normally
distributed with a mean of 260 minutes and a standard deviation of 15
minutes.

A flight is considered late if it takes longer than 275 minutes.

(a) Calculate the probability a flight is not late. [2]

The flight is considered to be on time if it takes between m and 275 minutes.

The probability that a flight is on time is 0.830.

(b) Find the value of m. [3]

 During a week, SpeedWay has 12 flights from city A to city B. The time taken
for any flight is independent of the time taken by any other flight.

(c.i) Calculate the probability that at least 7 of these flights are on

time. [3]

([Link]) Given that at least 7 of these flights are on time, find the
probability that exactly 10 flights are on time. [4]

(d) SpeedWay increases the number of flights from city A to city B

to 20 flights each week, and improves their efficiency so that
more flights are on time. The probability that at least 19 flights
are on time is 0.788.

A flight is chosen at random. Calculate the probability that it is

on time. [3]

25. [Maximum mark: 6] [Link].TZ0.H_7

Runners in an athletics club have season’s best times for the 100 m,
which can be modelled by a normal distribution with mean 11.6
seconds and standard deviation 0.8 seconds. To qualify for a particular
competition a runner must have a season’s best time of under 11
seconds. A runner from this club who has qualified for the competition
is selected at random. Find the probability that he has a season’s best
time of under 10.7 seconds. [6]

26. [Maximum mark: 13] [Link].TZ1.S_9

A random variable Z is normally distributed with mean 0 and standard deviation
1. It is known that P(z < −1.6) = a and P(z > 2.4) = b. This is shown in the
following diagram.
 (a) Find P(−1.6 < z < 2.4). Write your answer in terms of a and b. [2]

(b) Given that z > −1.6, find the probability that z < 2.4 . Write your
answer in terms of a and b. [4]

A second random variable X is normally distributed with mean m and standard

deviation s.

It is known that P(x < 1) = a.

(c) Write down the standardized value for x = 1. [1]

(d) It is also known that P(x > 2) = b.

Find s. [6]

27. [Maximum mark: 6] [Link].TZ1.T_11

Consider the following graphs of normal distributions.
(a) In the following table, write down the letter of the
corresponding graph next to the given mean and standard
deviation.

[2]

At an airport, the weights of suitcases (in kg) were measured. The weights are
normally distributed with a mean of 20 kg and standard deviation of 3.5 kg.

(b) Find the probability that a suitcase weighs less than 15 kg. [2]

(c) Any suitcase that weighs more than k kg is identified as excess

baggage.
19.6 % of the suitcases at this airport are identified as excess
baggage.

Find the value of k. [2]

28. [Maximum mark: 5] [Link].TZ2.T_14
The price per kilogram of tomatoes, in euro, sold in various markets in a city is
found to be normally distributed with a mean of 3.22 and a standard deviation
of 0.84.

([Link]) Find the price that is two standard deviations above the mean
price. [1]

(b) Find the probability that the price of a kilogram of tomatoes,

chosen at random, will be between 2.00 and 3.00 euro. [2]

(c) To stimulate reasonable pricing, the city offers a free permit to

the sellers whose price of a kilogram of tomatoes is in the
lowest 20 %.

Find the highest price that a seller can charge and still receive a
free permit. [2]

29. [Maximum mark: 6] [Link].TZ0.H_7

Runners in an athletics club have season’s best times for the 100 m,
which can be modelled by a normal distribution with mean 11.6
seconds and standard deviation 0.8 seconds. To qualify for a particular
competition a runner must have a season’s best time of under 11
seconds. A runner from this club who has qualified for the competition
is selected at random. Find the probability that he has a season’s best
time of under 10.7 seconds. [6]

© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2024