Normal Distribution

Learner’s Module in Statistics and Probability

Quarter 3 ● Module 4 ● Week 4

ERLINDA V. AGABAO
Developer

Department of Education • Cordillera Administrative Region

NAME: _ GRADE AND SECTION _

TEACHER: SCORE: _______________________
 What I Need to Know
This module was designed and written with you in mind. This is developed to help you
master the nature of Statistics and Probability. The scope of this module permits it to be used in
many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of
students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order
in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module is divided into three lessons, namely:

Lesson 1: Normal distribution and z-value
Lesson 2: Areas under the normal curve
Lesson 3: Percentiles under normal curve

After going through this module, the learner

a. understands the concept of normal curve distribution
b. relates a random variable distribution to a normal distribution
c. converts a random variable to standard normal variable and vice versa
d. expresses the areas under the normal curve as probabilities or percentage
e. solves problems involving normal distribution.

What’s In
ILLUSTRATING NORMAL CURVE
In the previous discussions, we discussed on how to solve mean, variance and standard
deviation. In this lesson, illustrating normal curve will serve as a model in inferential statistics.

A. VISUALIZING A NORMAL DISTRIBUTION

Tasks:
a) Sketch the graph of the frequency polygon of each distribution
b) Use the chart Wizard of the MS Excel program to sketch the graphs if a computer is available
c) Answer the questions that follow

1. Graph the frequency polygon of the following scores of students in a quiz.

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 NORMAL DISTRIBUTION
There are many events in real life that generate random variable that have natural tendency to
approximate the shape of a bell. The normal curve has a very important role in inferential statistics. It
provides a graphical representation of statistical values that are needed in describing the characteristics of
population as well as making decisions.

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A. PROPERTIES OF THE NORMAL PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
The normal probability distribution has the following properties:

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 B. UNDERSTANDING THE STANDARD NORMAL CURVE

The standard normal curve is normal probability distribution that is most commonly used as a model
for inferential statistics. It is a curve that has a mean of 0 and standard deviation of 1.

Figure 1: The Standard Normal Curve

http://image1.slideserve.com/1772978

Figure 2: Areas Under the Normal Curve

https://petemichaud.github.io/images/normal-curve.jpg

C. EXPLORING THE -SCORE

The z-scores are the areas under the normal curve. Either the z -score locates x within a sample or within
a population.

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 AREAS UNDER THE NORMAL CURVE
The table of areas under the normal curve is also known as the z -table (using the half curve). The
z-score is a measure of relative standing.
Table 1: Table of Areas under the Normal Curve (Cumulative Distribution Function F(z))

https://d2vlcm61l7u1fs.cloudfront.net

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 Since the z-table provides the proportion of the area (or probability or percentage) between any two
specified values under the curve, regions under the curve can be described in terms of area.

FOUR-STEP PROCESS IN FINDING THE AREAS UNDER THE NORMAL CURVE GIVEN Z-VALUE
Express the given -value into three-digit form
Using the -table, find the first two digits on the left column
Match the third digit with the appropriate column on the right
Read the area (or probability) at the intersection of the row and the column. This is the required
area.

Example 1: Find the area that corresponds to z = 1.5

Step 1: Express the given value to three-digit form.

Step 2: In the table, find the first two digits in column with the 1.5.

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Step 3: In the table, find the column with the heading 00.

Step 4: Find the area through the intersection of 1.5 and 0

Therefore, the area if z = 1.50 i s 0.4332

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 Solution:
a) less than months

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b.) between 9 to 34 months

LOCATING PERCENTILES UNDER THE NORMAL

For any set of measurements (arranged in ascending or descending order), a percentile (or centile)
THREE SITUATIONS IN FINDING THE -VALUE GIVEN AN AREA
1. If the area is found on the -table, locate the -value that corresponds to the given
area.
2. If the area is not found on the -table, locate the -value closest to the given area.
3. If the area is not found on the -table and there are two -values closest to the given
area, get the average of the two closest z -values.

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Example 1: Find the 67th percentile of a normal curve.
SOLUTION:
1. Express the given 67% as probability.

2. Subtract 0.5000 from 0.6700. (Note: The z-table contains areas between 0 and z- score.)

3. Refer to the table of areas under the normal curve and locate the area 0.1700 in the body of the table.

4. Find the z-values that corresponds to 0.1700.

5. Therefore, the 67th percentile is z = 0.44 .

Example 2: Find the upper 2% of the normal curve.

SOLUTION:
1. Subtract the 2% from 100%.
2. Express 98%
3. Subtract 0.5000 from 0.9800. (Note: The z -table contains areas between 0 and z -score.)

4. Refer to the table of areas under the normal curve and locate the area 0.4800 in the body of the
table.

The area is not found in the table. It is

between the values and

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 5. Find the z-values that corresponds to 0.4798 and 0.4803.

6. Since the area 0.4800 is closer to 0.4798, then get z = 2 . 0 5 .

7. Therefore, the 98th percentile is z = 2 . 0 5

Example 3: Find the 95th percentile of a normal curve

SOLUTION:
1. Express the given 95% as probability. 95% = 0.9500
2. Subtract 0.5000 from 0.9500. (Note: The z-table contains areas between 0 and z - score.)

3. Refer to the table of areas under the normal curve and locate the area in the body of the table.

4. Find the z-values that corresponds to0.4495 and 0.4505 The area is not
found in the
table. It is
between 0.4495
and 0.4505
5. Since the area is between two closest .

6. Therefore, the 95th percentile is z = 1.645.

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 Note:
Therefore, theApercentile
percentile is the
ranks of value in aofnormal
a score distribution that has a specified percentage of
85 is 99.38%.
observations below it.

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