Final answer:
The z-scores that bound the middle 88% of the area under the standard normal curve are approximately -1.551 and 1.551.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the z-scores that bound the middle 88% of the area under the standard normal curve, we can use the z-table or a statistical software like Excel. Since the area under the curve in the middle is 88%, there will be 6% on each tail. The z-scores that correspond to these areas are approximately -1.551 and 1.551. Therefore, the z-scores that bound the middle 88% of the area are -1.551 and 1.551.