Answer:
The values of a and b are -1.28 and 1.28 respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is provided that the area of the standard normal distribution between a and b is 80%.
Also it is provided that a < b.
Let us suppose that a = -z and b = z.
Then the probability statement is
[tex]P (a<Z<b)=0.80\\P(-z<Z<z)=0.80[/tex]
Simplify the probability statement as follows:
[tex]P(-z<Z<z)=0.80\\P(Z<z)-P(Z<-z)=0.80\\P(Z<z)-[1-P(Z<z)]=0.80\\2P(Z<z)-1=0.80\\P(Z<z) = \frac{1.80}{2}\\P(Z<z) =0.90[/tex]
Use the standard normal distribution table to determine the value of z.
Then the value of z for probability 0.90 is 1.28.
Thus, the value of a and b are:
[tex]a = -z = - 1.28\\b = z = 1.28[/tex]
Thus, [tex]P(-1.28<Z<1.28)=0.80[/tex].