Introductory Statistics

7.2The Central Limit Theorem for Sums

Introductory Statistics7.2 The Central Limit Theorem for Sums

Suppose X is a random variable with a distribution that may be known or unknown (it can be any distribution) and suppose:

1. μX = the mean of Χ
2. σΧ = the standard deviation of X

If you draw random samples of size n, then as n increases, the random variable ΣX consisting of sums tends to be normally distributed and ΣΧ ~ N((n)(μΧ), ($n n$)(σΧ)).

The central limit theorem for sums says that if you repeatedly draw samples of a given size (such as repeatedly rolling ten dice) and calculate the sum of each sample, these sums tend to follow a normal distribution. As sample sizes increase, the distribution of means more closely follows the normal distribution. The normal distribution has a mean equal to the original mean multiplied by the sample size and a standard deviation equal to the original standard deviation multiplied by the square root of the sample size.

The random variable ΣX has the following z-score associated with it:

1. Σx is one sum.
1. (n)(μX) = the mean of ΣX
2. $( n )( σ X ) ( n )( σ X )$ = standard deviation of $ΣX ΣX$

Using the TI-83, 83+, 84, 84+ Calculator

To find probabilities for sums on the calculator, follow these steps.

2nd DISTR
2:normalcdf
normalcdf(lower value of the area, upper value of the area, (n)(mean), ($n n$)(standard deviation))

where:

• mean is the mean of the original distribution
• standard deviation is the standard deviation of the original distribution
• sample size = n

Example 7.5

An unknown distribution has a mean of 90 and a standard deviation of 15. A sample of size 80 is drawn randomly from the population.

1. Find the probability that the sum of the 80 values (or the total of the 80 values) is more than 7,500.
2. Find the sum that is 1.5 standard deviations above the mean of the sums.
Try It 7.5

An unknown distribution has a mean of 45 and a standard deviation of eight. A sample size of 50 is drawn randomly from the population. Find the probability that the sum of the 50 values is more than 2,400.

Using the TI-83, 83+, 84, 84+ Calculator

To find percentiles for sums on the calculator, follow these steps.

2nd DIStR
3:invNorm
k = invNorm (area to the left of k, (n)(mean), $( n ) ( n )$(standard deviation))

where:

• k is the kth percentile
• mean is the mean of the original distribution
• standard deviation is the standard deviation of the original distribution
• sample size = n

Example 7.6

In a recent study reported Oct. 29, 2012 on the Flurry Blog, the mean age of tablet users is 34 years. Suppose the standard deviation is 15 years. The sample of size is 50.

1. What are the mean and standard deviation for the sum of the ages of tablet users? What is the distribution?
2. Find the probability that the sum of the ages is between 1,500 and 1,800 years.
3. Find the 80th percentile for the sum of the 50 ages.
Try It 7.6

In a recent study reported Oct.29, 2012 on the Flurry Blog, the mean age of tablet users is 35 years. Suppose the standard deviation is ten years. The sample size is 39.

1. What are the mean and standard deviation for the sum of the ages of tablet users? What is the distribution?
2. Find the probability that the sum of the ages is between 1,400 and 1,500 years.
3. Find the 90th percentile for the sum of the 39 ages.

Example 7.7

The mean number of minutes for app engagement by a tablet user is 8.2 minutes. Suppose the standard deviation is one minute. Take a sample of size 70.

1. What are the mean and standard deviation for the sums?
2. Find the 95th percentile for the sum of the sample. Interpret this value in a complete sentence.
3. Find the probability that the sum of the sample is at least ten hours.
Try It 7.7

The mean number of minutes for app engagement by a table use is 8.2 minutes. Suppose the standard deviation is one minute. Take a sample size of 70.

1. What is the probability that the sum of the sample is between seven hours and ten hours? What does this mean in context of the problem?
2. Find the 84th and 16th percentiles for the sum of the sample. Interpret these values in context.
Order a print copy

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.