Skip to content
Back to exploration
Probability & statistics · Chinese

Normal distribution: probability below a score

For normal scores with mean70 and standard deviation10, find the left-tail probability below60. Use the approximate68-95 rule to select0.16 and distinguish it from the precise normal probability.

Reviewed learning material · Video analysis · English

Under the stated normal model with mean70 and standard deviation10, score60 is one standard deviation below the mean. The diagram and68-95 rule give a rounded left-tail probability16%, selecting option0.16. This is an approximation: a precise normal-tail check gives approximately0.158655.

Before you watch

  • Basic concepts of normal distribution
  • Definition of mean and standard deviation

Chapters

0:00Problem Introduction and Drawing Normal Distribution Graph0:29Applying 68-95 Rule to Analyze Probability0:38Calculating Probability Lower Than 60 Points and Obtaining Answer

Learning script

Generated from the video's visuals and explanation; not verbatim speech.

The video begins by showing a multiple-choice question from Taiwan Math B entrance exam: The exam scores of senior high school students in a certain school follow a normal distribution, with a mean of 70 points and a standard deviation of 10 points. If a student is randomly selected, which option is closest to the probability that their score is lower than 60 points?

The instructor draws a bell-shaped normal curve. First, the mean70 is marked below its peak. On either side of70, a distance of one standard deviation,10 points, is marked. This locates the scores60 and80.

The instructor introduces the "68-95 rule" to analyze the area (probability) under the curve. He points out that the probability of data falling within one standard deviation of the mean (i.e., between 60 and 80 points) is approximately 68%, so the left and right halves each account for 34%. For the remaining two tail regions, the probability on each side is approximately (100% - 68%) / 2 = 16%. He labels 34 and 16 in the corresponding regions on the graph.

The problem requires calculating the probability that the score is lower than 60 points. The instructor observes the graph and finds that 60 points is exactly located at one standard deviation to the left of the mean. Therefore, the region lower than 60 points is the left tail region. Based on the previous analysis, the probability of this region is approximately16%, which converts to 0.16 as a decimal.

The instructor concludes that this problem mainly tests the understanding and application of basic concepts of normal distribution and the 68-95 rule. The correct answer is option (1) 0.16.

Knowledge cards

01

Normal distribution

When drawing a normal distribution graph, the key is to mark the mean (the abscissa corresponding to the axis of symmetry/highest point of the curve) and the standard deviation (which determines the width of the curve and the position of key intervals).

02

Application of 68-95 Rule

Approximately68% lies within one standard deviation of the mean. The remaining probability is approximately32%; symmetry gives about16% in each tail, below the mean minus one standard deviation or above the mean plus one standard deviation. These percentages are rounded.

P(μ−σ<X<μ+σ)≈0.68  ⟹  P(X<μ−σ)≈0.16P(\mu - \sigma < X < \mu + \sigma) \approx 0.68 \implies P(X < \mu - \sigma) \approx 0.16
03

One standard deviation below the mean

The target60 is one standard deviation below mean70 with standard deviation10. The lesson uses the empirical rule to choose0.16. As a supplementary precise check, standardizing givesz=-1 and a normal left-tail probability approximately0.158655;0.16 is the nearest listed option.

Detailed learning notes

Explore conditions, steps and evidence. Supplementary explanations are labeled separately from content shown in the video.

Symbols · 2

μ\mu

Clear evidence
Shown in the video
Evidence
  1. Audio
    Observation

    Mean of the scores

  2. Diagram
    Observation

    The number 70 is labeled in the center of the diagram

Symbol

μ\mu

Meaning

Mean of the scores

Domain

Real numbers

σ\sigma

Clear evidence
Shown in the video
Evidence
  1. Audio
    Observation

    Standard deviation of the scores

  2. Diagram
    Observation

    Two 10s are labeled below the diagram, on the left and right sides of 70 respectively

Symbol

σ\sigma

Meaning

Standard deviation of the scores

Domain

Positive real numbers

Knowledge points · 2

Normal Distribution Graph

Clear evidence
Shown in the video
Evidence
  1. Audio
    Observation

    The graph of a normal distribution is a symmetric bell-shaped curve, whose highest point corresponds to the mean.

  2. Diagram
    Observation

    A bell-shaped curve appears on the screen

Definition
Explanation

The graph of a normal distribution is a symmetric bell-shaped curve, whose highest point corresponds to the mean.

Conditions
  1. Data follows a normal distribution

68-95 Rule

Clear evidence
Supplementary explanation
Evidence
  1. Audio
    Observation

    Using the68-95 approximation, the diagram labels the two central halves34% each and the tails16% each.

  2. Diagram
    Observation

    Percentage regions of 34 and 16 are labeled on the diagram

Formula
Explanation

In a normal distribution, the probability that data falls within one standard deviation of the mean is approximately 68% (34% on each side); the probability that it falls within two standard deviations is approximately 95% (the remaining two tails each account for about 2.5%, but this problem uses 16% as the approximate value for one tail beyond one standard deviation, i.e., (100%-68%)/2 = 16%).

Formula
P(μ−σ<X<μ+σ)≈0.68,P(X>μ+σ)≈0.16P(\mu - \sigma < X < \mu + \sigma) \approx 0.68, \quad P(X > \mu + \sigma) \approx 0.16
Conditions
  1. Data follows a normal distribution

  2. Use rounded probabilities under the stated continuous normal model; the95%/2.5% figures describe the broader rule, not an additional calculation in this exercise.

Prerequisites
  1. Normal Distribution Graph
Derivations and proofs · 1

Derivation of Probability Less Than 60 Points

Clear evidence
Supplementary explanation
Evidence
  1. Audio
    Observation

    The solution identifies60 as one standard deviation below70 and chooses the approximate left-tail option0.16.

  2. Diagram
    Observation

    The region less than 60 points on the left side of the diagram is circled and labeled 16%

Intuitive argument
Steps
  1. Expression
    μ=70,σ=10\mu = 70, \sigma = 10
    Explanation

    Determine the mean and standard deviation of the normal distribution

    Justification

    Given conditions in the problem

    Shown in the video
  2. Expression
    60=μ−σ60 = \mu - \sigma
    Explanation

    Calculate the standard deviation score corresponding to 60 points

    Justification

    Algebraic operation

    Derived from the video
  3. Expression
    P(X<60)=P(X<μ−σ)P(X < 60) = P(X < \mu - \sigma)
    Explanation

    Find the probability of a score below the mean minus one standard deviation.

    Justification

    Substitution of equivalent quantities

    Supplementary explanation
  4. Expression
    P(X<μ−σ)≈16%=0.16P(X < \mu - \sigma) \approx 16\% = 0.16
    Explanation

    Use the approximate68-95 rule to choose the closest option; the tail probability is not exactly16%.

    Justification

    Properties of normal distribution

    Shown in the video
Conclusion

The probability that the score is lower than 60 points is closest to 0.16.

Worked examples · 1

Taiwan Math B entrance exam, ROC year99 single-choice question2

Clear evidence
Shown in the video
Evidence
  1. Caption evidence
    Observation

    The question specifies normal scores with mean70 and standard deviation10, asks for the probability below60, and lists option1 as0.16.

  2. Audio
    Observation

    The speaker explains this problem throughout

Problem

It is known that student scores follow a normal distribution, with a mean of 70 and a standard deviation of 10. Find the probability that a randomly selected student has a score lower than 60.

Given
  1. Scores follow a normal distribution

  2. Mean μ=70\mu = 70

  3. Standard deviation σ=10\sigma = 10

  4. Target score x = 60

Goal

Find P(X < 60)

Steps
  1. Expression
    μ=70,σ=10\mu = 70, \sigma = 10
    Explanation

    Mark the positions of the mean and standard deviation

    Justification

    Given by the problem

    Shown in the video
  2. Expression
    60=70−10=μ−σ60 = 70 - 10 = \mu - \sigma
    Explanation

    Discover that 60 points is exactly the mean minus one standard deviation

    Justification

    Algebraic calculation

    Derived from the video
  3. Expression
    P(X<μ−σ)≈16%P(X < \mu - \sigma) \approx 16\%
    Explanation

    According to the 68-95 rule, the probability of the single-sided tail is approximately 16%

    Justification

    Empirical rule of normal distribution

    Shown in the video
  4. Expression
    16%=0.1616\% = 0.16
    Explanation

    Convert percentage to decimal

    Justification

    Unit conversion

    Shown in the video
Answer

(1) 0.16

Verification

Comparing with the options, (1) is 0.16, which matches the calculation result.

Visual events · 1

Drawing and Labeling Normal Distribution Graph

Clear evidence
Shown in the video
Evidence
  1. Animation
    Observation

    Gradually drawing the normal distribution curve, labeling values such as 70, 10, 34%, 16%, and circling the region less than 60 points

Objects
  1. Bell-shaped curve

  2. Vertical dashed line

  3. Horizontal axis

  4. Percentage values

  5. Circled region

Changes
  1. Draw the curve

  2. Label the mean 70

  3. Label the standard deviation 10

  4. Label interval probabilities 34% and 16%

  5. Circle the target region

Invariants
  1. Curve shape

  2. Symmetry

Interpretation

Visually presents the parameters and probability distribution of the normal distribution, helping to understand the relative position of 60 points and its corresponding probability.

Concept relations · 1

68-95 Rule → Derivation of Probability Less Than 60 Points

Clear evidence
Shown in the video
Evidence
  1. Audio
    Observation

    The diagram and empirical rule identify the left tail below60 as approximately16%.

Application
Explanation

The 68-95 rule is the theoretical basis for solving this probability calculation problem.

Find an answer · 1

How to use the 68-95 rule of normal distribution to calculate the probability below a specific score?

Clear evidence
Supplementary explanation
Evidence
  1. Audio
    Observation

    How to use the 68-95 rule of normal distribution to calculate the probability below a specific score?

Knowledge points
  1. 68-95 Rule
  2. Derivation of Probability Less Than 60 Points
  3. Taiwan Math B entrance exam, ROC year99 single-choice question2
Coverage and review notes

Covered · Covers reading the problem, drawing the graph, applying the rule, and confirming the final answer.

Explore the knowledge in this video

Open video knowledge graph →

  • Normal distribution ExplanationAt 0:10
    Why this connection?

    When drawing a normal distribution graph, the key is to mark the mean (the abscissa corresponding to the axis of symmetry/highest point of the curve) and the standard deviation (which determines the width of the curve and the position of key intervals).