1. Quality control reports that are not available to consumers indicate that 20% of
Hot Shot ovens have faulty control panels. The owner of an apartment complex
has just purchased 120 of these ovens. Assume that the ovens purchased
constitute a random sample.
a. Can you use the normal approximation to the binomial distribution to estimate
the probability that between 22 and 35 of them have faulty control panels?
Explain.
b. Estimate the probability that between 22 and 35 of them (including 22 and 35)
have faulty control panels.


Any ideas?

The normal approximation is appropriate when np and n(1-p) are both large. How large depends on what textbook/lecturer you have. If you are feeling keen, calculate both the exact value and the approximation and compare them.

If np and n(1-p) are large, ,
Where Y has distribution N(np, np(1-p))

haha wow... that just confused me more. Apparently I have no idea what to do.

So...
p = .2
q = .8
n = 120

np = 120(.2) = 24 = standard dev
npq = 19.2

and I have the equation Z = (x - (np))/sqrt(npq)

no idea what to do from there...

What part of the reply you got confuses you? Note that a minimum level of knowledge on your part is assumed.

__________________
There are two things you should never try to prove: the impossible and the obvious.

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark. (Michelangelo Buonarroti)

• 
  To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
  
• 
  To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
  
• 
  To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
  
• 
  To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
  
• 
  To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
  

this is what I know :

So...
p = .2
q = .8
n = 120

np = 120(.2) = 24 = standard dev
npq = 19.2

and I have the equation Z = (x - (np))/sqrt(npq)

no idea what to do from there...

You have Y ~ Normal .

Calculate .

You must have been taught how to do calculations using a normal distribution ....?

__________________
There are two things you should never try to prove: the impossible and the obvious.

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark. (Michelangelo Buonarroti)

• 
  To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
  
• 
  To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
  
• 
  To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
  
• 
  To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
  
• 
  To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.