Monthly utility bills in a certain city are normally distributed with a mean of $121 and a standard deviation of $15. What is the cutoff amount for the top 10% of the bills? Use the normal table and SHOW ALL WORK to answer this

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### Example Problem: Calculating the Top 10% Cutoff for Utility Bills

**Problem Statement:**
Monthly utility bills in a certain city are normally distributed with a mean of $121 and a standard deviation of $15. What is the cutoff amount for the top 10% of the bills? 

**Solution:** To determine the cutoff amount for the top 10% of the utility bills, we'll use the properties of the normal distribution and the standard normal (Z) table.

#### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Mean and Standard Deviation:**
   - Mean (μ): $121
   - Standard Deviation (σ): $15

2. **Determine the Z-score that corresponds to the top 10%:**
   The top 10% refers to the 90th percentile (since 100% - 10% = 90%). We need to find the Z-score that corresponds to the 90th percentile in the standard normal distribution.

3. **Using the Standard Normal Table:**
   - Look for the value in the Z-table that is closest to 0.9000.
   - The value corresponding to 0.9000 is approximately 1.28.

4. **Apply the Z-score Formula:**
   The Z-score formula is:
   \[
   Z = \frac{X - \mu}{\sigma}
   \]
   Where:
   - **Z** is the Z-score,
   - **X** is the cutoff amount,
   - **μ** is the mean,
   - **σ** is the standard deviation.

   Rearranging the formula to solve for **X** gives us:
   \[
   X = Z \cdot \sigma + \mu
   \]

5. **Calculate the Cutoff Amount:**
   \[
   X = 1.28 \cdot 15 + 121
   \]
   \[
   X = 19.2 + 121
   \]
   \[
   X = 140.2
   \]

**Conclusion:**
The cutoff amount for the top 10% of the utility bills is $140.20.

### Visualization:

**Normal Distribution Curve:**
Imagine a bell-shaped curve where the center (mean) is at $121. The area under the curve to the right of the cutoff point (approximately $140.20) covers 10% of the total area.
Transcribed Image Text:### Example Problem: Calculating the Top 10% Cutoff for Utility Bills **Problem Statement:** Monthly utility bills in a certain city are normally distributed with a mean of $121 and a standard deviation of $15. What is the cutoff amount for the top 10% of the bills? **Solution:** To determine the cutoff amount for the top 10% of the utility bills, we'll use the properties of the normal distribution and the standard normal (Z) table. #### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Identify the Mean and Standard Deviation:** - Mean (μ): $121 - Standard Deviation (σ): $15 2. **Determine the Z-score that corresponds to the top 10%:** The top 10% refers to the 90th percentile (since 100% - 10% = 90%). We need to find the Z-score that corresponds to the 90th percentile in the standard normal distribution. 3. **Using the Standard Normal Table:** - Look for the value in the Z-table that is closest to 0.9000. - The value corresponding to 0.9000 is approximately 1.28. 4. **Apply the Z-score Formula:** The Z-score formula is: \[ Z = \frac{X - \mu}{\sigma} \] Where: - **Z** is the Z-score, - **X** is the cutoff amount, - **μ** is the mean, - **σ** is the standard deviation. Rearranging the formula to solve for **X** gives us: \[ X = Z \cdot \sigma + \mu \] 5. **Calculate the Cutoff Amount:** \[ X = 1.28 \cdot 15 + 121 \] \[ X = 19.2 + 121 \] \[ X = 140.2 \] **Conclusion:** The cutoff amount for the top 10% of the utility bills is $140.20. ### Visualization: **Normal Distribution Curve:** Imagine a bell-shaped curve where the center (mean) is at $121. The area under the curve to the right of the cutoff point (approximately $140.20) covers 10% of the total area.
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