Continuous Probability

Distributions
• LO7-1 Describe the uniform probability distribution and use
it to calculate probabilities.
• LO7-2 Describe the characteristics of a normal probability
distribution.
• LO7-3 Describe the standard normal probability distribution
and use it to calculate probabilities.
 LO7-1 Describe the uniform probability
distribution and use it to calculate probabilities.

The uniform probability distribution

is the simplest distribution for a
continuous random variable.
This distribution is rectangular in
shape and is defined by minimum
(a) and maximum (b) values.
Area = 1
The area of the rectangle
(distribution) represent
Chart 7 – 1 A Continuous Uniform Distribution
probabilities. The total area of
rectangle should be 1.
 Examples of Uniform Distribution
• The sales of gasoline at the Kwik Fill in Medina, New York,
follow a uniform distribution that varies between 2,000 and
5,000 gallons per day. The random variable is the number of
gallons sold per day and is continuous within the interval
between 2,000 gallons and 5,000 gallons.

• Volunteers at the Grand Strand Public Library prepare

federal income tax forms. The time to prepare form 1040-
EZ follows a uniform distribution over the interval between
10 minutes and 30 minutes. The random variable is the
number of minutes to complete the form, and it can
assume any value between10 and 30.
 LO7-1

Knowing the minimum and maximum values of a uniform

distribution, we can define the probability function, and calculate
the mean, variance, and standard deviation of the distribution.
1
Uniform Distribution P(x) = b − a if a ≤ x ≤ b and 0 elsewhere.

Mean of the Uniform Distribution μ = a+b

2

𝑏−𝑎 2
Standard Deviation Uniform Distribution σ =
12
 LO7-1

Southwest Arizona State University provides bus service to students while

they are on campus. A bus arrives at the North Main Street and College
Drive stop every 30 minutes between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. during weekdays.
Students arrive at the bus stop at random times. The time that a student
waits is uniformly distributed from 0 to 30 minutes.

1. Draw a graph of this distribution.

2. Show that the area of this uniform distribution is 1.00.
3. How long will a student “typically” have to wait for a bus? In other
words what is the mean waiting time? What is the standard deviation of
the waiting times?
4. What is the probability a student will wait more than 25 minutes?
5. What is the probability a student will wait between 10 and 20 minutes?
 Example Uniform Distribution
1. Graph of uniformly distributed waiting times between 0
and 30.
 Example Uniform Distribution
1
2. Area of rectangle = (height)(base) = × (30 − 0) = 1.00
30−0

𝑎 +𝑏 0+30
3. Mean = μ = = = 15min
2 2
So the typical wait time for bus service is 15 minutes.
𝑏−𝑎 2 30−0 2
Standard Deviation = σ = = = 8.66
12 12
This measure the variation in the student wait times.
 Example Uniform Distribution
1
4. P(25 < wait time < 30) = 30 − 0 (5) = 0.1667

1
5. P(10 < wait time < 20) = 30 − 0 (10) = 0.3333
 LO7-1

Microwave ovens only last so long. The life-time of a microwave oven

follows a uniform distribution between 8 and 14 years.

a) Draw this uniform distribution. What are the height and base values?
b) Show the total area under the curve is 1.00.
c) Calculate the mean and the standard deviation of this distribution.
d) What is the probability a particular microwave oven lasts between 10
and 14 years?
e) What is the probability a microwave oven will last less than 9 years?
 Solution to Self Review 7 - 1

a) Graph

1
b) P(x) = 14 − 8 (14 – 8) = 1.00

𝑎+ 14+8
c) Mean = μ = = = 11years
2 2
𝑏−𝑎 2 14−8 2
Standard Deviation = σ = = = 1.73
12 12
 Solution to Self Review 7 - 1

1
d) P(10 < x < 14) = 14 − 8 (14 – 10) = 0. 667

1
e) P(x < 9) = 14 − 8 (9 – 8) = 0.167
 LO7-2 Describe the characteristics of
a normal probability distribution.

▪ It is bell-shaped and has a single peak at the center of the distribution.

▪ It is symmetrical about the mean.
▪ The arithmetic mean, median, and mode are equal.
▪ It is asymptotic: The curve gets closer and closer to the x-axis but never
actually touches it. To put it another way, the tails of the curve extend
indefinitely in both directions.
▪ the total area under the normal curve is defined to be 1.
▪ Because the distribution is symmetrical, half the area (50%) under the
normal curve is to the right of the mean, and the other half (50%) to the left
of it.
LO7-2
 1 𝑥−𝜇 2
−
𝑃 𝑥 = 𝑒 2𝜎 2
𝜎 2𝜋
 LO7-2

As the SD gets
smaller the
distribution gets
more narrow and
peaked.

Equal Means and Different Standard Deviations Different Means and Standard Deviations

As the mean
changes the
normal curve
shifts right or left
Different Means and Equal Standard Deviations
 LO7-3 Describe the standard normal probability
distribution and use it to calculate probabilities.

• The standard normal distribution is a normal distribution with a

mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1.
• It is also called the z distribution.
• A z-value or z-score is the signed distance between a selected
value, x and the population mean, , divided by the population
standard deviation, σ.
• The formula is:
𝑥−𝜇
𝑧=
𝜎
Regardless of the value of the mean, and standard deviation of actual data, the
standard normal distribution has mean always 0 and standard deviation 1.
 LO7-3

P(0 < z < 1.5) = 0.4332

 LO7-3

Step 1: Standardization; Find the z-value for a particular value of

random variable x.

Step 2: Use z-value and the standard normal distribution table to

find the probability.
 LO7-3

Suppose the weekly income of Uber drivers follows the normal

probability distribution with a mean of $1,000 and a standard
deviation of $100. What is the z value of income for a driver who
earns $1,100 per week? For a driver who earns $900 per week?
Solution:
For x = $1,100 For x = $900
z = 𝑥−𝜇 = 1100−1000 = 1 z = 𝑥−𝜇 = 900−1000 = –1
𝜎 100 𝜎 100
 LO7-3

A recent national survey concluded that the typical person consumes 48 ounces
of water per day. Assume daily water consumption follows a normal probability
distribution with a standard deviation of 12.8 ounces.
a) What is the z value for a person who consumes 64 ounces of water per day?
Based on this z value, how does this person compare to the national average?
b) What is the z value for a person who consumes 32 ounces of water per day?
Based on this z value, how does this person compare to the national average?
Solution:
a) For x = 64 ounces b) For x = 32ounces
z = 𝑥−𝜇
𝜎
= 64−48
12.8
= 1.25 z = 𝑥−𝜇
= 32−48
= –1.25
𝜎 12.8
This person’s difference of 16 ounces This person’s difference of 16 ounces
more than average is 1.25 standard less than average is 1.25 standard
deviations above the average. deviations below the average.
 LO7-3

• For z = 1, the table’s value is

0.3413; times 2 is 0.6826.
• For z = 2, the table’s value is
0.4772; times 2 is 0.9544.
• For z = 3, the table’s value is
0.4987; times 2 is 0.9974.
 LO7-3

As part of its quality assurance program, the Autolite Battery

Company conducts tests on battery life. For a particular D-cell
alkaline battery, the mean life is 19 hours. The useful life of the
battery follows a normal distribution with a standard deviation of
1.2 hours. Answer the following questions.

1. About 68% of the batteries failed between what two values?

2. About 95% of the batteries failed between what two values?
3. Virtually all of the batteries failed between what two v2a5 lues?
 Solution to Example
We can use the Empirical Rule to answer these questions.
1. About 68% of the batteries will fail between 17.8 and
20.2 hours, found by 19.0 ± 1(1.2) hours.
2. About 95% of the batteries will fail between 16.6 and
21.4 hours, found by 19.0 ± 2(1.2) hours.
3. Practically all failed between 15.4 and 22.6 hours, found
by 19.0 ± 3(1.2) hours.
 LO7-3

The distribution of the annual incomes of a group of middle-

management employees at Compton Plastics approximates a
normal distribution with a mean of $47,200 and a standard
deviation of $800.
a) About 68% of the incomes lie between what two amounts?
b) About 95% of the incomes lie between what two amounts?
c) Almost all of the incomes lie between what two amounts?
d) What are the median and the modal incomes?
e) Is the distribution of incomes symmetrical?
 Solution to Example
We can use the Empirical Rule to answer these questions.
a) $46,400 and $48,000, found by $47,200 ± 1($800).
b) $45,600 and $48,800, found by $47,200 ± 2($800).
c) $44,800 and $49,600, found by $47,200 ± 3($800).
d) $47,200. The mean, median, and mode are equal for a
normal distribution.
e) Yes, a normal distribution is always symmetrical.
 LO7-3

In an earlier example we reported that

the mean weekly income of Uber drivers
followed the normal distribution with a
mean of $1,000 and a standard
deviation of $100. That is, μ = $1,000
and σ = $100.

What is the likelihood of selecting a

driver whose weekly income is between
$1,000 and $1,100?
LO7-3
 LO7-3

The Excel function:

=NORM.DIST(x,Mean,Standard_dev,Cumu)
=NORM.DIST(1100,1000,100,true)
calculates the probability (area) for z = 1.

In Minitab:
Go to Calc then
Probability dist.
and select
“Normal”.
 LO7-3

Refer to the information regarding the

weekly income of Uber drivers. The
distribution of weekly incomes follows
the normal probability distribution, with
a mean of $1,000 and a standard
deviation of $100.
1. What is the probability of selecting a
driver whose income is between $790
and $1,000?
2. Less than $790? The probability of selecting a shift foreman with
income less than $790 is 0.5 - 0.4821 = 0.0179
 a) Computing z:
The temperature of coffee sold at the
Coffee Bean Cafe follows the normal z = 154 − 150 = 0.80
5
probability distribution, with a mean of
Referring to Appendix B.3, the area is
150 degrees. The standard deviation of 0.2881. So
this distribution is 5 degrees.
P (150 < temp < 154) = 0.2881.
a) What is the probability that the
b) Computing z:
coffee temperature is between 150
degrees and 154 degrees? z = 164 − 150 = 2.80
5
Referring to Appendix B.3, the area is
b) What is the probability that the 0.4974. So
coffee temperature is more than P (temp > 164) = 0.5 − 0.4974 = 0.0026
164 degrees?
 LO7-3

Refer to the information regarding the

weekly income of Uber driver. The
distribution of weekly incomes follows the
normal probability distribution with a
mean of $1,000 and a standard deviation
of $100. 0.4452 + 0.4772 = 0.9224

What is the probability of selecting an

Uber driver whose income is between
$840 and $1,200?
 LO7-3

Refer to the information regarding the

weekly income of Uber drivers. The
distribution of weekly incomes follows the
normal probability distribution with a
mean of $1,000 and a standard deviation
of $100.
What is the probability of selecting a
driver whose income is between $1,150
and $1,250?
P($1,150 < weekly income < $1,250) = .4938 − .4332 = .0606.
 LO7-3

Layton Tire and Rubber Company wishes to set a

minimum mileage guarantee on its new MX100 tire.
Tests reveal the mean mileage is 67,900 with a
standard deviation of 2,050 miles and that the
distribution of miles follows the normal distribution.
Layton wants to set the minimum guaranteed
mileage so that no more than 4% of the tires will
have to be replaced.

What minimum guaranteed mileage should Layton

announce?
LO7-3
 LO7-3

The Excel function:

=NORM.INV(Probability,Mean,Standard_dev)
=NORM.INV(0.04,67900,2050)
calculates the x = 64311.
An analysis of the final test scores for Introduction to Business reveals the
scores follow the normal probability distribution. The mean of the
distribution is 75 and the standard deviation is 8. The professor wants to
award an A to students whose score is in the highest 10%. What is the
dividing point for those students who earn an A and those earning a B?
Solution:
In normal probability table, the closest area to 0.4000 is 0.3997, which
corresponds to z = 1.28. Then:
1.28 = 𝑥 − 75
8
10.24 = x − 75  x = 85.24