Final answer:
Using the empirical rule and the given mean and standard deviation, approximately 95% of the boys' heights in the class fall between 163 cm and 173 cm, which corresponds to option A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The range of heights where approximately 95% of the boys fall in a normally distributed set with a mean of 168 cm and a standard deviation of 2.5 cm can be found using the empirical rule. This rule states that about 95% of the data falls within two standard deviations from the mean. To calculate this range, we add and subtract two standard deviations from the mean.
Calculations:
Mean (M) = 168 cm
Standard Deviation (SD) = 2.5 cm
Range for 95%: M ± 2*SD
Lower bound = M - 2*SD = 168 - 2*2.5 = 168 - 5 = 163 cm
Upper bound = M + 2*SD = 168 + 2*2.5 = 168 + 5 = 173 cm
Therefore, about 95% of the heights will fall between 163 cm and 173 cm, which corresponds to option A.