Step by step
The question
Question: the numbers are normal, with mean 60 and SD 8: what percent is above 60?
Normal means the numbers make a bell shape, the same on both sides of the mean.
1 Draw the bell
The mean, 60, is in the middle.
Each mark is one SD, 8, further: 60 plus 8 is 68, then 76, then 84.
And going down: 52, 44, 36.
2 The 68-95-99.7 rule
The rule: 68 percent are within 1 SD of the mean.
95 percent within 2 SDs.
99.7 percent within 3 SDs.
Split into pieces, half on each side.
68 divided by 2 is 34.
95 minus 68 is 27, half is 13.5.
99.7 minus 95 is 4.7, half is 2.35.
And 0.15 at each end.
We write each piece on the curve.
3 Shade the part
60 is the mean.
Above it: everything to the right.
Careful!
The mean is in the middle.
Each side of it is half the bell: 50 percent.
4 Add the pieces
We add the shaded pieces: 34 plus 13.5 plus 2.35 plus 0.15 is 50%.
5 Check
Let's check: the pieces not shaded add up to 50 percent.
50 plus 50 is 100 percent: the whole bell.
So it is right!
Let's look back.
First: draw the bell.
Then: the 68-95-99.7 rule.
Then: shade the part.
Then: add the pieces.
Last: check.