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Lesson 6 Normal Distribution

The document discusses the normal probability distribution, also known as the normal curve or bell curve. It is a continuous probability distribution that is widely used to describe populations that cluster around a mean. The normal curve is symmetrical and bell-shaped, with the mean, median and mode all coinciding at the center. It is determined by the mean and standard deviation, and precisely describes the likelihood of values occurring within certain numbers of standard deviations from the mean.

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86 views

Lesson 6 Normal Distribution

The document discusses the normal probability distribution, also known as the normal curve or bell curve. It is a continuous probability distribution that is widely used to describe populations that cluster around a mean. The normal curve is symmetrical and bell-shaped, with the mean, median and mode all coinciding at the center. It is determined by the mean and standard deviation, and precisely describes the likelihood of values occurring within certain numbers of standard deviations from the mean.

Uploaded by

Loe Hi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson 6: Normal Probability

Distribution (The Normal Curve)


In the previous lessons, you have learned about the
random variables and its probability distributions. We
used samples of discrete data to find a probability
distribution with the same pattern. That pattern is
used to make predictions or decisions concerning the
population. However, not all data are discrete. Some
are continuous. In this lesson, we will consider a
distribution of this type commonly known as normal
probability distribution or simply normal curve.
Normal Probability Distribution is a probability
distribution of continuous random variables. It shows
graphical representations of random variables obtained
through measurement such as the height and weight of
the students. It is sometimes called the bell curve. It is
used to describe the characteristics of populations and
help us visualize the inferences we make about the
population. It is also used to determine the
probabilities and percentile of the continuous random
variables in the distribution.
A lot of data follow this type of pattern. That’s why it’s widely used in
businesses, schools, and in different fields. Examples include:
Heights of people
Measurement errors
Blood pressure
Points on a test
IQ scores
Characteristics of Normal Curve
The graphical representation of the normal distribution is popularly
known as a normal curve. The normal curve is described clearly by
the following characteristics.

1. The distribution curve is bell-shaped.


2. The curve is symmetrical about its center. This means that, if we
draw a segment from the peak of the curve down to the
horizontal axis, the segment divides the normal curve into two
equal parts or areas.
3. The mean, median, and mode coincide at the center. This also
means that in a normal distribution, or a distribution described by
a normal curve, the mean, median, and mode are equal.
4. The width of the curve is determined by the standard deviation of the
distribution.

5. The tails of the curve are plotted in both directions and flatten out indefinitely
along the horizontal axis. The tails are thus asymptotic to the baseline. A portion
of the graph that is asymptotic to a reference axis or another graph is called an
asymptote, always approaching another but never touching it.

6. The total area under a normal curve is 1. This means that the normal curve
represents the probability, or the proportion, or the percentage associated with
specific sets of measurement values.
The empirical rule tells you what percentage of your data falls within a certain number
of standard deviations from the mean:
68% of the data falls within one standard deviation of the mean.
95% of the data falls within two standard deviations of the mean.
99.7% of the data falls within three standard deviations of the mean.
Normal distribution is determined by two parameters: the
mean μ and the standard deviation σ. If the mean μ is 0 and the
standard deviation σ is 1, then the normal distribution is a
standard normal distribution. The areas under this curve can be
found using the Areas under the Standard Normal Curve Table.
Finding the Areas Under the Normal Curve

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