Final answer:
In a computational physics class, test scores are normally distributed with a mean of 35 and a standard deviation of 7.7. The grades are curved to account for the test difficulty.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this question, we are given the mean and standard deviation for a test in a computational physics class. The mean score is 35 and the standard deviation is 7.7. The scores on the test are normally distributed.
To grade the test, the teacher uses a curved grading system. This means that the grades are adjusted to account for the difficulty of the test. In this case, the scores are curved so that the mean score is 35 and the standard deviation remains the same.
This curved grading system helps to ensure that the grades accurately reflect the students' performance relative to the difficulty of the test. It allows for a fair comparison of the students' scores, even if the test was particularly challenging.