Confusing z score question

[soccerboi]

Jordan is a high school student who attended the 500 metres running championship. If she ran 500 metres in 85.25 seconds, her standardised score (z-score) is closest to
A. -1
B. -1.5
C. -1.75
D. 1.75
E. 1.5
Answer is B
Worked Solution  z score =(85.25−924.5) divide by 4.5=−1.5

However, if u think bout it she ran quicker than the mean time, so how would the z score be a negative value. doesnt a negative z score mean she ran slower than the mean time???

[DannyN]

yes a negative z score means you've done something less than the mean, however is there more to the question? what's the mean and standard deviation here? from the work solution i'm assuming mean is 92.45? and S.D is 4.5?
can you clarify this for me?

[soccerboi]

Oh sorry, i forgot this part.

The distribution of times for the 500 metres running championship amongst the high school students is bell shaped with a mean of 92 seconds and a standard deviation of 4.5 seconds.

[soccerboi]

and worked solution is (85.25 - 92) divided by 4.5. i typed this wrong before sorry

[tony3272]

A negative z score means the value is less than the mean. Since she ran faster than the mean her time is less, hence the negative.

[DannyN]

A negative z score means the value is less than the mean. Since she ran faster than the mean her time is less, hence the negative.

beat me to it

[iroflmfao]

Dam that would be a good theory question.
When would a negative Z score be favorable ?

[tony3272]

Depends on the context.
If it's a situation such as the expenses a company pays then a negative z-score is more favorable.