Step by step
The question
Question: the numbers are normal, with mean 80 and SD 6: what percent is below 74?
Normal means the numbers make a bell shape, the same on both sides of the mean.
1 Draw the bell
The mean, 80, is in the middle.
Each mark is one SD, 6, further: 80 plus 6 is 86, then 92, then 98.
And going down: 74, 68, 62.
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
74 is 1 SD below the mean.
Below it: everything to the left.
Careful!
Outside 1 SD is 32 percent, but that is both ends together.
One end is half of it.
4 Add the pieces
We add the shaded pieces: 0.15 plus 2.35 plus 13.5 is 16%.
5 Check
Let's check: the pieces not shaded add up to 84 percent.
16 plus 84 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.