Final answer:
Approximately 68.26% of adult male American alligators are between 2.9 and 3.9 meters long. This was determined using the z-score formula and a standard normal distribution table.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks what percent of adult male American alligators are between 2.9 and 3.9 meters long, given the average length is 3.4 meters and the standard deviation is 0.5 meters. Since the distribution is mound/bell-shaped, this implies a normal distribution.
First, we standardize the lengths 2.9 and 3.9 meters using the z-score formula: z = (X - μ) / σ, where X is the length, μ is the mean, and σ is the standard deviation. For 2.9 meters, z = (2.9 - 3.4) / 0.5 = -1. For 3.9 meters, z = (3.9 - 3.4) / 0.5 = 1.
Using a standard normal distribution table, the area to the left of z = -1 is approximately 0.1587 (15.87%) and the area to the left of z = 1 is approximately 0.8413 (84.13%). To find the percent between, we subtract the smaller area from the larger area: 84.13% - 15.87% = 68.26%. Therefore, approximately 68.26% of adult male American alligators are between 2.9 and 3.9 meters long.