Statistics and Probability

Normal Probability
Distributions

Larson/Farber 4th ed 1
 Chapter Outline

• 5.1 Introduction to Normal Distributions and the

Standard Normal Distribution
• 5.2 Normal Distributions: Finding Probabilities
• 5.3 Normal Distributions: Finding Values
• 5.4 Sampling Distributions and the Central Limit
Theorem
• 5.5 Normal Approximations to Binomial
Distributions

Larson/Farber 4th ed 2
 Section 5.1

Introduction to Normal Distributions

Larson/Farber 4th ed 3
 Section 5.1 Objectives

• Interpret graphs of normal probability distributions

• Find areas under the standard normal curve

Larson/Farber 4th ed 4
 Properties of a Normal Distribution

Continuous random variable

• Has an infinite number of possible values that can be
represented by an interval on the number line.
Hours spent studying in a day The time spent
studying can be any
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 number between 0
and 24.

Continuous probability distribution

• The probability distribution of a continuous random
variable.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 5
 Properties of Normal Distributions

Normal distribution
• A continuous probability distribution for a random
variable, x.
• The most important continuous probability
distribution in statistics.
• The graph of a normal distribution is called the
normal curve.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 6
 Properties of Normal Distributions
1. The mean, median, and mode are equal.
2. The normal curve is bell-shaped and symmetric
about the mean.
3. The total area under the curve is equal to one.
4. The normal curve approaches, but never touches the
x-axis as it extends farther and farther away from the
mean.
Total area = 1

x
μ
Larson/Farber 4th ed 7
 Properties of Normal Distributions
5. Between μ – σ and μ + σ (in the center of the curve),
the graph curves downward. The graph curves
upward to the left of μ – σ and to the right of μ + σ.
The points at which the curve changes from curving
upward to curving downward are called the
inflection points.
Inflection points

x
μ − 3σ μ − 2σ μ−σ μ μ+σ μ + 2σ μ + 3σ
Larson/Farber 4th ed 8
 Means and Standard Deviations
• A normal distribution can have any mean and any
positive standard deviation.
• The mean gives the location of the line of symmetry.
• The standard deviation describes the spread of the
data.

μ = 3.5 μ = 3.5 μ = 1.5

σ = 1.5 σ = 0.7 σ = 0.7
Larson/Farber 4th ed 9
 Example: Understanding Mean and
Standard Deviation
1. Which curve has the greater mean?

Solution:
Curve A has the greater mean (The line of symmetry
of curve A occurs at x = 15. The line of symmetry of
curve B occurs at x = 12.)
Larson/Farber 4th ed 10
 Example: Understanding Mean and
Standard Deviation
2. Which curve has the greater standard deviation?

Solution:
Curve B has the greater standard deviation (Curve
B is more spread out than curve A.)

Larson/Farber 4th ed 11
 Example: Interpreting Graphs
The heights of fully grown white oak trees are normally
distributed. The curve represents the distribution. What
is the mean height of a fully grown white oak tree?
Estimate the standard deviation.
Solution:
σ = 3.5 (The inflection
μ = 90 (A normal points are one standard
curve is symmetric deviation away from
about the mean) the mean)

Larson/Farber 4th ed 12
 The Standard Normal Distribution
Standard normal distribution
• A normal distribution with a mean of 0 and a standard
deviation of 1.

Area = 1

z
−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3

• Any x-value can be transformed into a z-score by

using the formula
Value - Mean x-
z= =
Standard deviation 
Larson/Farber 4th ed 13
 The Standard Normal Distribution
• If each data value of a normally distributed random
variable x is transformed into a z-score, the result will
be the standard normal distribution.
Normal Distribution Standard Normal
Distribution
 x-
z=
 =

 x = z

• Use the Standard Normal Table to find the

cumulative area under the standard normal curve.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 14
 Properties of the Standard Normal
Distribution

1. The cumulative area is close to 0 for z-scores close

to z = −3.49.
2. The cumulative area increases as the z-scores
increase.

Area is
close to 0 z
−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3
z = −3.49
Larson/Farber 4th ed 15
 Properties of the Standard Normal
Distribution

3. The cumulative area for z = 0 is 0.5000.

4. The cumulative area is close to 1 for z-scores close
to z = 3.49.

Area
z
is close to 1
−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3
z=0 z = 3.49
Area is 0.5000
Larson/Farber 4th ed 16
Example: Using The Standard Normal Table
Find the cumulative area that corresponds to a z-score of
1.15.

Solution:
Find 1.1 in the left hand column.
Move across the row to the column under 0.05
The area to the left of z = 1.15 is 0.8749.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 17
Example: Using The Standard Normal Table
Find the cumulative area that corresponds to a z-score of
-0.24.

Solution:
Find -0.2 in the left hand column.
Move across the row to the column under 0.04
The area to the left of z = -0.24 is 0.4052.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 18
 Finding Areas Under the Standard
Normal Curve
1. Sketch the standard normal curve and shade the
appropriate area under the curve.
2. Find the area by following the directions for each
case shown.
a. To find the area to the left of z, find the area that
corresponds to z in the Standard Normal Table.
2. The area to the left
of z = 1.23 is 0.8907

1. Use the table to find the

area for the z-score
Larson/Farber 4th ed 19
 Finding Areas Under the Standard
Normal Curve
b. To find the area to the right of z, use the Standard
Normal Table to find the area that corresponds to
z. Then subtract the area from 1.

2. The area to the 3. Subtract to find the area

left of z = 1.23 to the right of z = 1.23:
is 0.8907. 1 − 0.8907 = 0.1093.

1. Use the table to find the

area for the z-score.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 20
 Finding Areas Under the Standard
Normal Curve
c. To find the area between two z-scores, find the
area corresponding to each z-score in the
Standard Normal Table. Then subtract the
smaller area from the larger area.
2. The area to the 4. Subtract to find the area of
left of z = 1.23 the region between the two
is 0.8907. z-scores:
3. The area to the 0.8907 − 0.2266 = 0.6641.
left of z = −0.75
is 0.2266.

1. Use the table to find the

area for the z-scores.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 21
 Example: Finding Area Under the
Standard Normal Curve
Find the area under the standard normal curve to the left
of z = -0.99.
Solution:

0.1611
z
−0.99 0

From the Standard Normal Table, the area is

equal to 0.1611.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 22
 Example: Finding Area Under the
Standard Normal Curve
Find the area under the standard normal curve to the
right of z = 1.06.
Solution:

0.8554 1 − 0.8554 = 0.1446

z
0 1.06

From the Standard Normal Table, the area is equal to

0.1446.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 23
 Example: Finding Area Under the
Standard Normal Curve
Find the area under the standard normal curve between
z = −1.5 and z = 1.25.
Solution:
0.8944− 0.0668 = 0.8276

0.8944
0.0668
z
−1.50 0 1.25

From the Standard Normal Table, the area is equal to

0.8276.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 24
 Section 5.1 Summary

• Interpreted graphs of normal probability distributions

• Found areas under the standard normal curve

Larson/Farber 4th ed 25
 Section 5.2

Normal Distributions: Finding

Probabilities

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 Section 5.2 Objectives

• Find probabilities for normally distributed variables

Larson/Farber 4th ed 27
 Probability and Normal Distributions

• If a random variable x is normally distributed, you

can find the probability that x will fall in a given
interval by calculating the area under the normal
curve for that interval.

P(x < 600) = Area μ = 500

σ = 100

x
μ =500 600

Larson/Farber 4th ed 28
 Probability and Normal Distributions

Normal Distribution Standard Normal Distribution

μ = 500 σ = 100 μ=0 σ=1
x −  600 − 500
z= = =1
P(x < 600)  100 P(z < 1)

x z
μ =500 600 μ=0 1

Same Area
P(x < 500) = P(z < 1)

Larson/Farber 4th ed 29
 Example: Finding Probabilities for
Normal Distributions
A survey indicates that people use their computers an
average of 2.4 years before upgrading to a new
machine. The standard deviation is 0.5 year. A computer
owner is selected at random. Find the probability that he
or she will use it for fewer than 2 years before
upgrading. Assume that the variable x is normally
distributed.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 30
 Solution: Finding Probabilities for
Normal Distributions

Normal Distribution Standard Normal Distribution

μ = 2.4 σ = 0.5 μ=0 σ=1
x −  2 − 2.4
z= = = −0.80 P(z < -0.80)
P(x < 2)  0.5

0.2119
x z
2 2.4 -0.80 0

P(x < 2) = P(z < -0.80) = 0.2119

Larson/Farber 4th ed 31
 Example: Finding Probabilities for
Normal Distributions
A survey indicates that for each trip to the supermarket,
a shopper spends an average of 45 minutes with a
standard deviation of 12 minutes in the store. The length
of time spent in the store is normally distributed and is
represented by the variable x. A shopper enters the store.
Find the probability that the shopper will be in the store
for between 24 and 54 minutes.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 32
 Solution: Finding Probabilities for
Normal Distributions

Normal Distribution Standard Normal Distribution

μ = 45 σ = 12 μ=0 σ=1
x- 24 - 45
z1 = = = -1.75
 12 P(-1.75 < z < 0.75)
x -  54 - 45
P(24 < x < 54) z2 = = = 0.75
 12
0.7734
0.0401
x z
24 45 54 -1.75 0 0.75

P(24 < x < 54) = P(-1.75 < z < 0.75)

= 0.7734 – 0.0401 = 0.7333
Larson/Farber 4th ed 33
 Example: Finding Probabilities for
Normal Distributions
Find the probability that the shopper will be in the store
more than 39 minutes. (Recall μ = 45 minutes and
σ = 12 minutes)

Larson/Farber 4th ed 34
 Solution: Finding Probabilities for
Normal Distributions

Normal Distribution Standard Normal Distribution

μ = 45 σ = 12 μ=0 σ=1
x- 39 - 45
z= = = -0.50 P(z > -0.50)
 12
P(x > 39)

0.3085
x z
39 45 -0.50 0

P(x > 39) = P(z > -0.50) = 1– 0.3085 = 0.6915

Larson/Farber 4th ed 35
 Example: Finding Probabilities for
Normal Distributions
If 200 shoppers enter the store, how many shoppers
would you expect to be in the store more than 39
minutes?

Solution:
Recall P(x > 39) = 0.6915

200(0.6915) =138.3 (or about 138) shoppers

Larson/Farber 4th ed 36
 Example: Using Technology to find
Normal Probabilities
Assume that cholesterol levels of men in the United
States are normally distributed, with a mean of 215
milligrams per deciliter and a standard deviation of 25
milligrams per deciliter. You randomly select a man
from the United States. What is the probability that his
cholesterol level is less than 175? Use a technology tool
to find the probability.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 37
 Solution: Using Technology to find
Normal Probabilities
Must specify the mean, standard deviation, and the x-
value(s) that determine the interval.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 38
 Section 5.2 Summary

• Found probabilities for normally distributed variables

Larson/Farber 4th ed 39
 Section 5.3

Normal Distributions: Finding

Values

Larson/Farber 4th ed 40
 Section 5.3 Objectives

• Find a z-score given the area under the normal curve

• Transform a z-score to an x-value
• Find a specific data value of a normal distribution
given the probability

Larson/Farber 4th ed 41
 Finding values Given a Probability
• In section 5.2 we were given a normally distributed
random variable x and we were asked to find a
probability.
• In this section, we will be given a probability and we
will be asked to find the value of the random variable
x. 5.2

x z probability

5.3
Larson/Farber 4th ed 42
 Example: Finding a z-Score Given an
Area
Find the z-score that corresponds to a cumulative area of
0.3632.

Solution:

0.3632

z
z 0

Larson/Farber 4th ed 43
 Solution: Finding a z-Score Given an
Area
• Locate 0.3632 in the body of the Standard Normal
Table.

The z-score
is -0.35.

• The values at the beginning of the corresponding row

and at the top of the column give the z-score.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 44
 Example: Finding a z-Score Given an
Area
Find the z-score that has 10.75% of the distribution’s
area to its right.

Solution:
1 – 0.1075 0.1075
= 0.8925

z
0 z
Because the area to the right is 0.1075, the
cumulative area is 0.8925.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 45
 Solution: Finding a z-Score Given an
Area
• Locate 0.8925 in the body of the Standard Normal
Table.

The z-score
is 1.24.

• The values at the beginning of the corresponding row

and at the top of the column give the z-score.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 46
 Example: Finding a z-Score Given a
Percentile
Find the z-score that corresponds to P5.
Solution:
The z-score that corresponds to P5 is the same z-score that
corresponds to an area of 0.05.
0.05
z
z 0
The areas closest to 0.05 in the table are 0.0495 (z = -1.65)
and 0.0505 (z = -1.64). Because 0.05 is halfway between the
two areas in the table, use the z-score that is halfway
between -1.64 and -1.65. The z-score is -1.645.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 47
 Transforming a z-Score to an x-Score

To transform a standard z-score to a data value x in a

given population, use the formula
x = μ + zσ

Larson/Farber 4th ed 48
 Example: Finding an x-Value
The speeds of vehicles along a stretch of highway are
normally distributed, with a mean of 67 miles per hour
and a standard deviation of 4 miles per hour. Find the
speeds x corresponding to z-sores of 1.96, -2.33, and 0.
Solution: Use the formula x = μ + zσ
• z = 1.96: x = 67 + 1.96(4) = 74.84 miles per hour
• z = -2.33: x = 67 + (-2.33)(4) = 57.68 miles per hour
• z = 0: x = 67 + 0(4) = 67 miles per hour
Notice 74.84 mph is above the mean, 57.68 mph is
below the mean, and 67 mph is equal to the mean.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 49
 Example: Finding a Specific Data Value
Scores for a civil service exam are normally distributed,
with a mean of 75 and a standard deviation of 6.5. To be
eligible for civil service employment, you must score in
the top 5%. What is the lowest score you can earn and
still be eligible for employment?
Solution:
An exam score in the top 5%
1 – 0.05 5% is any score above the 95th
= 0.95 percentile. Find the z-score
z that corresponds to a
0 ?
x cumulative area of 0.95.
75 ?
Larson/Farber 4th ed 50
 Solution: Finding a Specific Data Value
From the Standard Normal Table, the areas closest to
0.95 are 0.9495 (z = 1.64) and 0.9505 (z = 1.65).
Because 0.95 is halfway between the two areas in the
table, use the z-score that is halfway between 1.64 and
1.65. That is, z = 1.645.

5%

z
0 1.645
x
75 ?
Larson/Farber 4th ed 51
 Solution: Finding a Specific Data Value
Using the equation x = μ + zσ
x = 75 + 1.645(6.5) ≈ 85.69

5%

z
0 1.645
x
75 85.69
The lowest score you can earn and still be eligible
for employment is 86.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 52
 Section 5.3 Summary

• Found a z-score given the area under the normal

curve
• Transformed a z-score to an x-value
• Found a specific data value of a normal distribution
given the probability

Larson/Farber 4th ed 53
 Section 5.4

Sampling Distributions and the

Central Limit Theorem

Larson/Farber 4th ed 54
 Section 5.4 Objectives

• Find sampling distributions and verify their properties

• Interpret the Central Limit Theorem
• Apply the Central Limit Theorem to find the
probability of a sample mean

Larson/Farber 4th ed 55
 Sampling Distributions

Sampling distribution
• The probability distribution of a sample statistic.
• Formed when samples of size n are repeatedly taken
from a population.
• e.g. Sampling distribution of sample means

Larson/Farber 4th ed 56
 Sampling Distribution of Sample Means

Population with μ, σ
Sample 3 Sample 5
x3 x5
Sample 1 Sample 4
x1 Sample 2 x4
x2

The sampling distribution consists of the values of the

sample means, x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 ,...

Larson/Farber 4th ed 57
 Properties of Sampling Distributions of
Sample Means
1. The mean of the sample means,  x , is equal to the
population mean μ.
x = 
2. The standard deviation of the sample means,  x , is
equal to the population standard deviation, σ
divided by the square root of the sample size, n.

x =
n
• Called the standard error of the mean.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 58
 Example: Sampling Distribution of
Sample Means
The population values {1, 3, 5, 7} are written on slips of
paper and put in a box. Two slips of paper are randomly
selected, with replacement.
a. Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation of
the population.
x
Solution: Mean: = =4
N
( x −  ) 2
Variance:  2 = =5
N
Standard Deviation:  = 5  2.236

Larson/Farber 4th ed 59
 Example: Sampling Distribution of
Sample Means
b. Graph the probability histogram for the population
values.

Solution:
P(x) Probability Histogram of
Population of x
0.25
All values have the
same probability of
Probability

being selected (uniform

distribution)
x
1 3 5 7
Population values

Larson/Farber 4th ed 60
 Example: Sampling Distribution of
Sample Means
c. List all the possible samples of size n = 2 and
calculate the mean of each sample.
Solution:
Sample x Sample x
1, 1 1 5, 1 3
1, 3 2 5, 3 4 These means
1, 5 3 5, 5 5 form the
1, 7 4 5, 7 6 sampling
3, 1 2 7, 1 4 distribution of
3, 3 3 7, 3 5
sample means.
3, 5 4 7, 5 6
3, 7 5 7, 7 7
Larson/Farber 4th ed 61
 Example: Sampling Distribution of
Sample Means
d. Construct the probability distribution of the sample
means.
Solution: f
x x f Probability Probability
1 1 0.0625
2 2 0.1250
3 3 0.1875
4 4 0.2500
5 3 0.1875
6 2 0.1250
7 1 0.0625
Larson/Farber 4th ed 62
 Example: Sampling Distribution of
Sample Means
e. Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation of
the sampling distribution of the sample means.
Solution:
The mean, variance, and standard deviation of the
16 sample means are:
5
x = 4  = = 2.5
2
x
 x = 2.5  1.581
2
These results satisfy the properties of sampling
distributions of sample means.
 5 2.236
x =  = 4 x = =   1.581
n 2 2
Larson/Farber 4th ed 63
 Example: Sampling Distribution of
Sample Means
f. Graph the probability histogram for the sampling
distribution of the sample means.
Solution:
P(x) Probability Histogram of
Sampling Distribution of x
0.25
The shape of the
Probability

0.20
0.15
graph is symmetric
0.10
and bell shaped. It
0.05 approximates a
x normal distribution.
2 3 4 5 6 7
Sample mean

Larson/Farber 4th ed 64
 The Central Limit Theorem
1. If samples of size n  30, are drawn from any
population with mean =  and standard deviation = ,

x

then the sampling distribution of the sample means
approximates a normal distribution. The greater the
sample size, the better the approximation.
xx
x x
x x x
x x x x x x

Larson/Farber 4th ed 65
 The Central Limit Theorem
2. If the population itself is normally distributed,

x

the sampling distribution of the sample means is
normally distribution for any sample size n.
xx
x x
x x x
x x x x x x

Larson/Farber 4th ed 66
 The Central Limit Theorem
• In either case, the sampling distribution of sample
means has a mean equal to the population mean.
x = 
• The sampling distribution of sample means has a
variance equal to 1/n times the variance of the
population and a standard deviation equal to the
population standard deviation divided by the square
root of n. 2

 x2 = Variance
n

x = Standard deviation (standard
n error of the mean)
Larson/Farber 4th ed 67
 The Central Limit Theorem
1. Any Population Distribution 2. Normal Population Distribution

Distribution of Sample Means, Distribution of Sample Means,

n ≥ 30 (any n)

Larson/Farber 4th ed 68
 Example: Interpreting the Central Limit
Theorem
Phone bills for residents of a city have a mean of $64
and a standard deviation of $9. Random samples of 36
phone bills are drawn from this population and the mean
of each sample is determined. Find the mean and
standard error of the mean of the sampling distribution.
Then sketch a graph of the sampling distribution of
sample means.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 69
 Solution: Interpreting the Central Limit
Theorem
• The mean of the sampling distribution is equal to the
population mean
 x =  = 64
• The standard error of the mean is equal to the
population standard deviation divided by the square
root of n.
 9
x = = = 1.5
n 36

Larson/Farber 4th ed 70
 Solution: Interpreting the Central Limit
Theorem
• Since the sample size is greater than 30, the sampling
distribution can be approximated by a normal
distribution with
 x = 64  x = 1.5

Larson/Farber 4th ed 71
 Example: Interpreting the Central Limit
Theorem
The heights of fully grown white oak trees are normally
distributed, with a mean of 90 feet and standard
deviation of 3.5 feet. Random samples of size 4 are
drawn from this population, and the mean of each
sample is determined. Find the mean and standard error
of the mean of the sampling distribution. Then sketch a
graph of the sampling distribution of sample means.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 72
 Solution: Interpreting the Central Limit
Theorem
• The mean of the sampling distribution is equal to the
population mean
 x =  = 90
• The standard error of the mean is equal to the
population standard deviation divided by the square
root of n.
 3.5
x = = = 1.75
n 4

Larson/Farber 4th ed 73
 Solution: Interpreting the Central Limit
Theorem
• Since the population is normally distributed, the
sampling distribution of the sample means is also
normally distributed.
 x = 90  x = 1.75

Larson/Farber 4th ed 74
 Probability and the Central Limit
Theorem
• To transform x to a z-score

Value-Mean x − x x − 
z= = =
Standard Error x 
n

Larson/Farber 4th ed 75
 Example: Probabilities for Sampling
Distributions
The graph shows the length of
time people spend driving each
day. You randomly select 50
drivers age 15 to 19. What is the
probability that the mean time
they spend driving each day is
between 24.7 and 25.5 minutes?
Assume that σ = 1.5 minutes.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 76
 Solution: Probabilities for Sampling
Distributions
From the Central Limit Theorem (sample size is greater
than 30), the sampling distribution of sample means is
approximately normal with
 1.5
 x =  = 25 x = =  0.21213
n 50

Larson/Farber 4th ed 77
 Solution: Probabilities for Sampling
Distributions
Normal Distribution Standard Normal Distribution
μ = 25 σ = 0.21213 x -  24.7 - 25 μ=0 σ=1
z1 = = = -1.41
 1.5
P(24.7 < x < 25.5) n 50 P(-1.41 < z < 2.36)
x- 25.5 - 25
z2 = = = 2.36
 1.5
n 50
0.9909
0.0793
x z
24.7 25 25.5 -1.41 0 2.36

P(24 < x < 54) = P(-1.41 < z < 2.36)

= 0.9909 – 0.0793 = 0.9116
Larson/Farber 4th ed 78
 Example: Probabilities for x and x

A bank auditor claims that credit card balances are

normally distributed, with a mean of $2870 and a
standard deviation of $900.
1. What is the probability that a randomly selected
credit card holder has a credit card balance less than
$2500?
Solution:
You are asked to find the probability associated with
a certain value of the random variable x.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 79
 Solution: Probabilities for x and x

Normal Distribution Standard Normal Distribution

μ = 2870 σ = 900 μ=0 σ=1
x- 2500 - 2870
z= =  -0.41
P(x < 2500)  900 P(z < -0.41)

0.3409

x z
2500 2870 -0.41 0

P( x < 2500) = P(z < -0.41) = 0.3409

Larson/Farber 4th ed 80
 Example: Probabilities for x and x

2. You randomly select 25 credit card holders. What is

the probability that their mean credit card balance
is less than $2500?

Solution:
You are asked to find the probability associated with
a sample mean x.
 900
 x =  = 2870 x = = = 180
n 25

Larson/Farber 4th ed 81
 Solution: Probabilities for x and x

Normal Distribution Standard Normal Distribution

μ = 2870 σ = 180 μ=0 σ=1
x- 2500 - 2870
z= =  -2.06
 900
n 25 P(z < -2.06)
P(x < 2500)

0.0197
x z
2500 2870 -2.06 0

P( x < 2500) = P(z < -2.06) = 0.0197

Larson/Farber 4th ed 82
 Solution: Probabilities for x and x

• There is a 34% chance that an individual will have a

balance less than $2500.
• There is only a 2% chance that the mean of a sample
of 25 will have a balance less than $2500 (unusual
event).
• It is possible that the sample is unusual or it is
possible that the auditor’s claim that the mean is
$2870 is incorrect.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 83
 Section 5.4 Summary

• Found sampling distributions and verify their

properties
• Interpreted the Central Limit Theorem
• Applied the Central Limit Theorem to find the
probability of a sample mean

Larson/Farber 4th ed 84
 Section 5.5

Normal Approximations to Binomial

Distributions

Larson/Farber 4th ed 85
 Section 5.5 Objectives

• Determine when the normal distribution can

approximate the binomial distribution
• Find the correction for continuity
• Use the normal distribution to approximate binomial
probabilities

Larson/Farber 4th ed 86
 Normal Approximation to a Binomial
• The normal distribution is used to approximate the
binomial distribution when it would be impractical to
use the binomial distribution to find a probability.

Normal Approximation to a Binomial Distribution

• If np  5 and nq  5, then the binomial random
variable x is approximately normally distributed with
▪ mean μ = np
▪ standard deviation σ = npq

Larson/Farber 4th ed 87
 Normal Approximation to a Binomial

• Binomial distribution: p = 0.25

• As n increases the histogram approaches a normal

curve.
Larson/Farber 4th ed 88
 Example: Approximating the Binomial

Decide whether you can use the normal distribution to

approximate x, the number of people who reply yes. If
you can, find the mean and standard deviation.
1. Fifty-one percent of adults in the U.S. whose New
Year’s resolution was to exercise more achieved
their resolution. You randomly select 65 adults in
the U.S. whose resolution was to exercise more
and ask each if he or she achieved that resolution.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 89
 Solution: Approximating the Binomial

• You can use the normal approximation

n = 65, p = 0.51, q = 0.49
np = (65)(0.51) = 33.15 ≥ 5
nq = (65)(0.49) = 31.85 ≥ 5

• Mean: μ = np = 33.15
• Standard Deviation: σ = npq = 65  0.51 0.49  4.03

Larson/Farber 4th ed 90
 Example: Approximating the Binomial

Decide whether you can use the normal distribution to

approximate x, the number of people who reply yes. If
you can find, find the mean and standard deviation.
2. Fifteen percent of adults in the U.S. do not make
New Year’s resolutions. You randomly select 15
adults in the U.S. and ask each if he or she made a
New Year’s resolution.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 91
 Solution: Approximating the Binomial

• You cannot use the normal approximation

n = 15, p = 0.15, q = 0.85
np = (15)(0.15) = 2.25 < 5
nq = (15)(0.85) = 12.75 ≥ 5

• Because np < 5, you cannot use the normal

distribution to approximate the distribution of x.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 92
 Correction for Continuity

• The binomial distribution is discrete and can be

represented by a probability histogram.
• To calculate exact binomial probabilities, the
binomial formula is used for each value of x and the
results are added.
• Geometrically this corresponds to adding the areas of
bars in the probability histogram.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 93
 Correction for Continuity
• When you use a continuous normal distribution to
approximate a binomial probability, you need to
move 0.5 unit to the left and right of the midpoint to
include all possible x-values in the interval
(correction for continuity).

Exact binomial probability Normal approximation

P(x = c) P(c – 0.5 < x < c + 0.5)

c c– 0.5 c c+ 0.5

Larson/Farber 4th ed 94
 Example: Using a Correction for
Continuity
Use a correction for continuity to convert the binomial
intervals to a normal distribution interval.
1. The probability of getting between 270 and 310
successes, inclusive.
Solution:
• The discrete midpoint values are 270, 271, …, 310.
• The corresponding interval for the continuous normal
distribution is
269.5 < x < 310.5

Larson/Farber 4th ed 95
 Example: Using a Correction for
Continuity
Use a correction for continuity to convert the binomial
intervals to a normal distribution interval.
2. The probability of getting at least 158 successes.

Solution:
• The discrete midpoint values are 158, 159, 160, ….
• The corresponding interval for the continuous normal
distribution is
x > 157.5

Larson/Farber 4th ed 96
 Example: Using a Correction for
Continuity
Use a correction for continuity to convert the binomial
intervals to a normal distribution interval.
3. The probability of getting less than 63 successes.

Solution:
• The discrete midpoint values are …,60, 61, 62.
• The corresponding interval for the continuous normal
distribution is
x < 62.5

Larson/Farber 4th ed 97
 Using the Normal Distribution to
Approximate Binomial Probabilities

In Words In Symbols
1. Verify that the binomial Specify n, p, and q.
distribution applies.
2. Determine if you can use Is np  5?
the normal distribution to Is nq  5?
approximate x, the binomial
variable.
3. Find the mean  and  = np
standard deviation for the  = npq
distribution.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 98
 Using the Normal Distribution to
Approximate Binomial Probabilities

In Words In Symbols
4. Apply the appropriate Add or subtract 0.5
continuity correction. from endpoints.
Shade the corresponding
area under the normal
curve.
5. Find the corresponding z- x-
z=
score(s). 
6. Find the probability. Use the Standard
Normal Table.

Larson/Farber 4th ed 99
 Example: Approximating a Binomial
Probability
Fifty-one percent of adults in the U. S. whose New
Year’s resolution was to exercise more achieved their
resolution. You randomly select 65 adults in the U. S.
whose resolution was to exercise more and ask each if
he or she achieved that resolution. What is the
probability that fewer than forty of them respond yes?
(Source: Opinion Research Corporation)
Solution:
• Can use the normal approximation (see slide 89)
μ = 65∙0.51 = 33.15 σ = 65  0.51  0.49  4.03
Larson/Farber 4th ed 100
 Solution: Approximating a Binomial
Probability
• Apply the continuity correction:
Fewer than 40 (…37, 38, 39) corresponds to the
continuous normal distribution interval x < 39.5
Normal Distribution Standard Normal
μ = 33.15 σ = 4.03 μ=0 σ=1
x- 39.5 - 33.15
z= =  1.58 P(z < 1.58)
P(x < 39.5)  4.03

0.9429
x z
μ =33.15 39.5 μ =0 1.58

P(z < 1.58) = 0.9429

Larson/Farber 4th ed 101
 Example: Approximating a Binomial
Probability
A survey reports that 86% of Internet users use
Windows® Internet Explorer ® as their browser. You
randomly select 200 Internet users and ask each whether
he or she uses Internet Explorer as his or her browser.
What is the probability that exactly 176 will say yes?
(Source: 0neStat.com)
Solution:
• Can use the normal approximation
np = (200)(0.86) = 172 ≥ 5 nq = (200)(0.14) = 28 ≥ 5

μ = 200∙0.86 = 172 σ = 200  0.86  0.14  4.91

Larson/Farber 4th ed 102
 Solution: Approximating a Binomial
Probability
• Apply the continuity correction:
Exactly 176 corresponds to the continuous normal
distribution interval 175.5 < x < 176.5
Normal Distribution Standard Normal
μ = 172 σ = 4.91 x -  175.5 - 172 μ=0 σ=1
z = =  0.71
1
 4.91
P(175.5 < x < 176.5) x -  176.5 - 172 P(0.71 < z < 0.92)
z2 = =  0.92
 4.91
0.8212
0.7611
x z
μ =172 176.5 μ =0 0.92
175.5 0.71
P(0.71 < z < 0.92) = 0.8212 – 0.7611 = 0.0601
Larson/Farber 4th ed 103
 Section 5.5 Summary

• Determined when the normal distribution can

approximate the binomial distribution
• Found the correction for continuity
• Used the normal distribution to approximate binomial
probabilities

Larson/Farber 4th ed 104