A normal distribution of data has a mean of 90 and a standard deviation of 18. What is the approximate [tex]$z$[/tex]-score for the value 64?

A. [tex]$-3.6$[/tex]
B. [tex]$-1.4$[/tex]
C. 1.4
D. 3.6



Answer :

To calculate the approximate \( z \)-score for the value 64 in a normal distribution with a mean of 90 and a standard deviation of 18, we can use the \( z \)-score formula. The formula for the \( z \)-score is given by:

[tex]\[ z = \frac{{X - \mu}}{{\sigma}} \][/tex]

where:
- \( X \) is the value in question (64 in this case),
- \( \mu \) is the mean of the distribution (90),
- \( \sigma \) is the standard deviation of the distribution (18).

Let's substitute the values into the formula and solve for \( z \):

[tex]\[ z = \frac{{64 - 90}}{{18}} \][/tex]

First, calculate the numerator:

[tex]\[ 64 - 90 = -26 \][/tex]

Now, divide by the standard deviation:

[tex]\[ z = \frac{{-26}}{{18}} \][/tex]

Performing the division gives:

[tex]\[ z \approx -1.444 \][/tex]

We can approximate \( z \) as -1.4 when rounded to one decimal place. Therefore, the approximate \( z \)-score for the value 64 is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{-1.4} \][/tex]