SOLUTION: On an exam with a mean of M=98, you obtain a score of X=90. Would you prefer a standard deviation of s=2 or s=8? how do I solve this? Thank you in advance!

Algebra ->  Statistics  -> Describing-distributions-with-numbers -> SOLUTION: On an exam with a mean of M=98, you obtain a score of X=90. Would you prefer a standard deviation of s=2 or s=8? how do I solve this? Thank you in advance!       Log On


   

Question 1134544: On an exam with a mean of M=98, you obtain a score of X=90. Would you prefer a standard deviation of s=2 or s=8?
how do I solve this? Thank you in advance!

Answer by Boreal(15235) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If I am above the mean, I want to be far above. If I am below, I don't want to be far below.
z score is (x-mean)/sd
so below the mean, use sd of 8 and one is -8/8 or -1
that is a lot better than sd of 2 and z score of -8/2 or -4
s=8 is the answer.