HSC Mathematics Standard 2 Practice Exam

The Z-score is a statistical measurement that indicates how many standard deviations a data point is from the mean of a distribution. This allows for the assessment of the position of a value within the context of the overall distribution. A positive Z-score indicates the value is above the mean, while a negative Z-score indicates it is below the mean. Therefore, the ability to determine the position of a value within a distribution is a fundamental characteristic of the Z-score, making this statement true.

In terms of the remaining options, the Z-score is not always a whole number; it can take any real value, including decimals. Additionally, it is directly related to the mean and standard deviation, as the Z-score formula utilizes both to calculate its value. Lastly, while Z-scores can be used to assess probabilities through the standard normal distribution, they do not calculate probabilities directly.