Question

The scores on the SAT verbal test in recent years follow approximately the N(539, 111) distribution. Use technology to answer these questions.

a) If a student placed in the bottom 10% of all students taking the SAT, what was his score below? State answer as a whole number.
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b)How high must a student score to place in the top 10% of all students taking the SAT? State answer as a whole number.

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Answer 1

Solution:

As you said to use technology, I would like to use excel to find SAT score.

Mean = $\mu$ = 539

Standard deviation = $\sigma$ = 111

a)

If a student placed in the bottom 10% of all students taking the SAT, what was his score below?

Excel formula:

=NORMINV(0.1,539,111)

Hence, SAT score = 397

b)

How high must a student score to place in the top 10% of all students taking the SAT?

Excel formula:

=NORMINV(1-0.1,539,111)

Hence, SAT score = 681

Done