CAIE S1 2014 November — Question 1 3 marks

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleS1 (Statistics 1)
Year2014
SessionNovember
Marks3
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicNormal Distribution
TypeFind standard deviation from probability
DifficultyModerate -0.5 This is a straightforward inverse normal distribution problem requiring students to use standard normal tables to find the z-score corresponding to 1% (z ≈ -2.326), then solve 250 = 260 + (-2.326)σ for σ. It's slightly easier than average because it's a direct application of a standard technique with no conceptual complications, though it does require correct use of tables and algebraic manipulation.
Spec2.04e Normal distribution: as model N(mu, sigma^2)2.04f Find normal probabilities: Z transformation

1 Packets of tea are labelled as containing 250 g . The actual weight of tea in a packet has a normal distribution with mean 260 g and standard deviation \(\sigma \mathrm { g }\). Any packet with a weight less than 250 g is classed as 'underweight'. Given that \(1 \%\) of packets of tea are underweight, find the value of \(\sigma\). [3]

AnswerMarks Guidance
\(z = -2.326\)B1 \(\pm 2.325\) to \(2.33\) seen
\(\frac{250 - 260}{\sigma} = -2.326\)M1 Standardising and \(=\) or \(<\) their \(z\), no cc, sq, sq rt
\(\sigma = 4.30\)A1 3 Correct ans
$z = -2.326$ | B1 | $\pm 2.325$ to $2.33$ seen
$\frac{250 - 260}{\sigma} = -2.326$ | M1 | Standardising and $=$ or $<$ their $z$, no cc, sq, sq rt
$\sigma = 4.30$ | A1 3 | Correct ans
1 Packets of tea are labelled as containing 250 g . The actual weight of tea in a packet has a normal distribution with mean 260 g and standard deviation $\sigma \mathrm { g }$. Any packet with a weight less than 250 g is classed as 'underweight'. Given that $1 \%$ of packets of tea are underweight, find the value of $\sigma$. [3]

\hfill \mbox{\textit{CAIE S1 2014 Q1 [3]}}