Question

Use z scores to compare the given values.

The tallest living man at one time had a height of 264 cm. The shortest living man at that time had a height of 118.4 cm. Heights of men at that time had a mean of 172.88 cm and a standard deviation of 8.38 cm. Which of these two men had the height that was more​ extreme?

Answer 1

Using z scores, we can compare the two heights by calculating the z score of each one. The z score of the tallest man is (264-172.88)/8.38=14.44 and the z score of the shortest man is (118.4-172.88)/8.38=-17.10. Since the z score of the shortest man is more extreme, we can conclude that he had the more extreme height.

The z score for the tallest man is 14.44 and the z score for the shortest man is -17.10. The shortest man had the height that was more extreme, with a z score of -17.10.