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Approximations

Probability and Statistics · FE Reference Handbook section

Probability and Statistics
7 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~59 min
All Probability and Statistics lectures

Handbook notes for this section

Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.

  • The following table and equations may be used to generate initial approximations of the items indicated.

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
z-score — solve for z-score — Approximations

A probability and statistics problem uses z-score. Given mean (mu) = 3,610 psi; std deviation (sigma) = 580.0 psi; value (x) = 2,130 psi, determine the z-score (z).

Given

  • mean(mu)=3,610psimean (mu) = 3,610 psi
  • stddeviation(sigma)=580.0psistd deviation (sigma) = 580.0 psi
  • value(x)=2,130psivalue (x) = 2,130 psi

Find

z-score (z)

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is z-score.
  • Everything except z is given, so isolate z symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Probability and Statistics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that z stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:mean(mu)=3,610psi,stddeviation(sigma)=580.0psi,value(x)=2,130psiList the givens: mean (mu) = 3,610 psi, std deviation (sigma) = 580.0 psi, value (x) = 2,130 psi
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    z=−2.5517z = -2.5517
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning z = -2.5517 to

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
z=−2.5517z = -2.5517

Why the other options are there

  • -5.1034 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • -1.2759 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • -2.8069 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Probability and Statistics → Approximations

Example 2
z-score — solve for value — Approximations (2)

A probability and statistics problem uses z-score. Given mean (mu) = 5,100 psi; std deviation (sigma) = 350.0 psi; z-score (z) = 0.3200, determine the value (x) in psi.

Given

  • mean(mu)=5,100psimean (mu) = 5,100 psi
  • stddeviation(sigma)=350.0psistd deviation (sigma) = 350.0 psi
  • z−score(z)=0.3200z-score (z) = 0.3200

Find

value (x), in psi

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is z-score.
  • Everything except x is given, so isolate x symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Probability and Statistics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that x stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:mean(mu)=5,100psi,stddeviation(sigma)=350.0psi,z−score(z)=0.3200List the givens: mean (mu) = 5,100 psi, std deviation (sigma) = 350.0 psi, z-score (z) = 0.3200
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    x=5212 psix = 5212\ \text{psi}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning x = 5,212 psi to

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
x=5212 psix = 5212\ \text{psi}

Why the other options are there

  • 10,424 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 2,606 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 5,733 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Probability and Statistics → Approximations

Example 3
z-score — solve for mean — Approximations (3)

A probability and statistics problem uses z-score. Given std deviation (sigma) = 480.0 psi; value (x) = 2,690 psi; z-score (z) = 3.0000, determine the mean (mu) in psi.

Given

  • stddeviation(sigma)=480.0psistd deviation (sigma) = 480.0 psi
  • value(x)=2,690psivalue (x) = 2,690 psi
  • z−score(z)=3.0000z-score (z) = 3.0000

Find

mean (mu), in psi

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is z-score.
  • Everything except mu is given, so isolate mu symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Probability and Statistics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that mu stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:stddeviation(sigma)=480.0psi,value(x)=2,690psi,z−score(z)=3.0000List the givens: std deviation (sigma) = 480.0 psi, value (x) = 2,690 psi, z-score (z) = 3.0000
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    μ=1250 psi\mu = 1250\ \text{psi}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning mu = 1,250 psi to

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
μ=1250 psi\mu = 1250\ \text{psi}

Why the other options are there

  • 2,500 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 625.0 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 1,375 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Probability and Statistics → Approximations

Example 4
z-score — solve for std deviation — Approximations (4)

A probability and statistics problem uses z-score. Given mean (mu) = 4,550 psi; value (x) = 6,880 psi; z-score (z) = 1.0300, determine the std deviation (sigma) in psi.

Given

  • mean(mu)=4,550psimean (mu) = 4,550 psi
  • value(x)=6,880psivalue (x) = 6,880 psi
  • z−score(z)=1.0300z-score (z) = 1.0300

Find

std deviation (sigma), in psi

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is z-score.
  • Everything except sigma is given, so isolate sigma symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Probability and Statistics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that sigma stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:mean(mu)=4,550psi,value(x)=6,880psi,z−score(z)=1.0300List the givens: mean (mu) = 4,550 psi, value (x) = 6,880 psi, z-score (z) = 1.0300
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    σ=2262 psi\sigma = 2262\ \text{psi}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning sigma = 2,262 psi to

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
σ=2262 psi\sigma = 2262\ \text{psi}

Why the other options are there

  • 4,524 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1,131 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 2,488 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Probability and Statistics → Approximations

Example 5
z-score — solve for z-score (case 2) — Approximations (5)

A probability and statistics problem uses z-score. Given mean (mu) = 4,720 psi; std deviation (sigma) = 560.0 psi; value (x) = 2,010 psi, determine the z-score (z).

Given

  • mean(mu)=4,720psimean (mu) = 4,720 psi
  • stddeviation(sigma)=560.0psistd deviation (sigma) = 560.0 psi
  • value(x)=2,010psivalue (x) = 2,010 psi

Find

z-score (z)

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is z-score.
  • Everything except z is given, so isolate z symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Probability and Statistics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that z stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:mean(mu)=4,720psi,stddeviation(sigma)=560.0psi,value(x)=2,010psiList the givens: mean (mu) = 4,720 psi, std deviation (sigma) = 560.0 psi, value (x) = 2,010 psi
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    z=−4.8393z = -4.8393
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning z = -4.8393 to

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
z=−4.8393z = -4.8393

Why the other options are there

  • -9.6786 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • -2.4196 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • -5.3232 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Probability and Statistics → Approximations

Example 6
z-score — solve for value (case 2) — Approximations (6)

A probability and statistics problem uses z-score. Given mean (mu) = 2,220 psi; std deviation (sigma) = 350.0 psi; z-score (z) = -0.3800, determine the value (x) in psi.

Given

  • mean(mu)=2,220psimean (mu) = 2,220 psi
  • stddeviation(sigma)=350.0psistd deviation (sigma) = 350.0 psi
  • z−score(z)=−0.3800z-score (z) = -0.3800

Find

value (x), in psi

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is z-score.
  • Everything except x is given, so isolate x symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Probability and Statistics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that x stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:mean(mu)=2,220psi,stddeviation(sigma)=350.0psi,z−score(z)=−0.3800List the givens: mean (mu) = 2,220 psi, std deviation (sigma) = 350.0 psi, z-score (z) = -0.3800
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    x=2087 psix = 2087\ \text{psi}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning x = 2,087 psi to

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
x=2087 psix = 2087\ \text{psi}

Why the other options are there

  • 4,174 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1,044 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 2,296 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Probability and Statistics → Approximations

Example 7
z-score — solve for mean (case 2) — Approximations (7)

A probability and statistics problem uses z-score. Given std deviation (sigma) = 270.0 psi; value (x) = 3,200 psi; z-score (z) = 1.3100, determine the mean (mu) in psi.

Given

  • stddeviation(sigma)=270.0psistd deviation (sigma) = 270.0 psi
  • value(x)=3,200psivalue (x) = 3,200 psi
  • z−score(z)=1.3100z-score (z) = 1.3100

Find

mean (mu), in psi

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is z-score.
  • Everything except mu is given, so isolate mu symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Probability and Statistics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that mu stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:stddeviation(sigma)=270.0psi,value(x)=3,200psi,z−score(z)=1.3100List the givens: std deviation (sigma) = 270.0 psi, value (x) = 3,200 psi, z-score (z) = 1.3100
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    μ=2846 psi\mu = 2846\ \text{psi}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning mu = 2,846 psi to

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
μ=2846 psi\mu = 2846\ \text{psi}

Why the other options are there

  • 5,693 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1,423 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 3,131 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Probability and Statistics → Approximations

Example 8
z-score — solve for std deviation (case 2) — Approximations (8)

A probability and statistics problem uses z-score. Given mean (mu) = 3,830 psi; value (x) = 3,290 psi; z-score (z) = 2.7800, determine the std deviation (sigma) in psi.

Given

  • mean(mu)=3,830psimean (mu) = 3,830 psi
  • value(x)=3,290psivalue (x) = 3,290 psi
  • z−score(z)=2.7800z-score (z) = 2.7800

Find

std deviation (sigma), in psi

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is z-score.
  • Everything except sigma is given, so isolate sigma symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Probability and Statistics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that sigma stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:mean(mu)=3,830psi,value(x)=3,290psi,z−score(z)=2.7800List the givens: mean (mu) = 3,830 psi, value (x) = 3,290 psi, z-score (z) = 2.7800
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    σ=−194.2 psi\sigma = -194.2\ \text{psi}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning sigma = -194.2 psi to

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
σ=−194.2 psi\sigma = -194.2\ \text{psi}

Why the other options are there

  • -388.5 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • -97.1223 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • -213.7 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Probability and Statistics → Approximations

Example 9
z-score — solve for z-score (case 3) — Approximations (9)

A probability and statistics problem uses z-score. Given mean (mu) = 3,250 psi; std deviation (sigma) = 320.0 psi; value (x) = 2,140 psi, determine the z-score (z).

Given

  • mean(mu)=3,250psimean (mu) = 3,250 psi
  • stddeviation(sigma)=320.0psistd deviation (sigma) = 320.0 psi
  • value(x)=2,140psivalue (x) = 2,140 psi

Find

z-score (z)

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is z-score.
  • Everything except z is given, so isolate z symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Probability and Statistics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that z stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:mean(mu)=3,250psi,stddeviation(sigma)=320.0psi,value(x)=2,140psiList the givens: mean (mu) = 3,250 psi, std deviation (sigma) = 320.0 psi, value (x) = 2,140 psi
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    z=−3.4688z = -3.4688
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning z = -3.4688 to

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
z=−3.4688z = -3.4688

Why the other options are there

  • -6.9375 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • -1.7344 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • -3.8156 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Probability and Statistics → Approximations

Example 10
z-score — solve for value (case 3) — Approximations (10)

A probability and statistics problem uses z-score. Given mean (mu) = 4,160 psi; std deviation (sigma) = 140.0 psi; z-score (z) = 0.7200, determine the value (x) in psi.

Given

  • mean(mu)=4,160psimean (mu) = 4,160 psi
  • stddeviation(sigma)=140.0psistd deviation (sigma) = 140.0 psi
  • z−score(z)=0.7200z-score (z) = 0.7200

Find

value (x), in psi

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is z-score.
  • Everything except x is given, so isolate x symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Probability and Statistics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that x stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:mean(mu)=4,160psi,stddeviation(sigma)=140.0psi,z−score(z)=0.7200List the givens: mean (mu) = 4,160 psi, std deviation (sigma) = 140.0 psi, z-score (z) = 0.7200
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    x=4261 psix = 4261\ \text{psi}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning x = 4,261 psi to

    z=(x−μ)/σz = (x - \mu) / \sigma

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
x=4261 psix = 4261\ \text{psi}

Why the other options are there

  • 8,522 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 2,130 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 4,687 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Probability and Statistics → Approximations

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