Question

The University of Maryland Medical Center considers "low birth weights" to be those less than 2495 g. Birth weights are normally distributed with a mean of 3152.0 g and a standard deviation of 2495g.

a) If a birth weight is randomly selected, what is the probability that it is a "low birth weight"?

Answer 1

To find the probability of a birth weight being classified as low, we use the z-score formula to standardize the birth weight value and then find the corresponding probability.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the probability that a birth weight is classified as a 'low birth weight' (less than 2495 g), we need to find the area under the normal distribution curve to the left of 2495 g. We can use the z-score formula to standardize the birth weight value and then use a z-table or calculator to find the corresponding probability.

The z-score formula is z = (X - µ) / σ, where X is the birth weight value, µ is the mean birth weight, and σ is the standard deviation of birth weights. Plugging in the values, we get z = (2495 - 3152) / 2495 = -0.2725.

Using a z-table or calculator, we can find that the probability of a birth weight being less than 2495 g is approximately 0.3925, or 39.25%.