Using Standard Deviation In A Worded Problem

[etor]

Hi Folks,
Bit puzzled by the below problem on how to solve. Appreciate tips / assistance.
Many thanks,

The height of some newly planted Cypress pine trees and Plum pines was recorded in
2019. The average height of these trees was 180cm, and the standard deviation was
6.5cm. A Cypress Pine was 186.5 cm tall, which was 1 standard deviation above the
mean. The Plum pine measured was 2 standard deviations below the mean.
The same pine trees were measured a year later. The mean of these trees has remained
the same, but the standard deviation reduced by 2 cm. If the relative position of the Plum
pine is the same, calculate by how much it had grown in 2020.

 

[Dr.Peterson]

Hi Folks,
Bit puzzled by the below problem on how to solve. Appreciate tips / assistance.
Many thanks,

The height of some newly planted Cypress pine trees and Plum pines was recorded in
2019. The average height of these trees was 180cm, and the standard deviation was
6.5cm. A Cypress Pine was 186.5 cm tall, which was 1 standard deviation above the
mean. The Plum pine measured was 2 standard deviations below the mean.
The same pine trees were measured a year later. The mean of these trees has remained
the same, but the standard deviation reduced by 2 cm. If the relative position of the Plum
pine is the same, calculate by how much it had grown in 2020.

It will help if you can tell us your understanding of the problem as far as you can, and make some attempt to solve it if possible. The more you say, the better we'll be able to help. Ask specific questions where you can, rather than just saying you don't understand.

I agree it's a somewhat odd problem; but the way to deal with an unfamiliar problem is to do what you can, which often makes the rest of the problem more understandable.