Final answer:
The probability of an adult female's pulse rate being between 60 and 68 beats per minute can be computed using z-scores, which in turn are used to find the corresponding areas under the standard normal distribution curve. The difference between these areas represents the desired probability.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the probability that an adult female's pulse rate is between 60 and 68 beats per minute, given the average (mean) pulse rate is 74 beats per minute with a standard deviation of 12.5 beats per minute, we will use the concept of standard normal distribution. First, we convert the pulse rate values to z-scores which indicate how many standard deviations an element is from the mean.
To calculate the z-score for 68 beats per minute:
Z = (X - μ) / σ
Z = (68 - 74) / 12.5
Z = -0.48
Similarly, the z-score for 60 beats per minute is:
Z = (60 - 74) / 12.5
Z = -1.12
Using a z-table or a calculator with normal distribution functions, find the area under the curve for each z-score. The probability that her pulse rate is between 68 and 60 beats per minute is the difference between these two areas.