WEEK 4

Statistics and Probability

Illustrating a Normal Random Variable and
its Characteristics
Lesson 1 Illustrating the Normal Random
Variable and its Characteristics
Did you take a National Achievement Test or any Placement Tests? How about
measuring your height and weight during the first week of your PE class to know
your Body Mass Index? Have you ever tried to determine the location or make an
inference about your grades, height, or weight in the distribution? If not, this lesson
will teach you how to appreciate the importance of knowing the answer to those
questions?
What’s New
A. The distribution of the height (X) in centimeter (cm) of the 16 teachers of SCNHS
was presented below. Construct a histogram for the random variable (X).

X F
138 1
139 2
140 3
141 4
142 3
143 2
144 1

B. The following items show four pictures captured by the author during his
travel in the different places and constructed using GeoGebra
application which represents a common object. Analyze the group of
pictures carefully then identify the common object they
represent. Write your answer by filling in the empty boxes below each
item. A hint is also provided for you.
 1. 2.

3.

4. 5.

Can you define or describe each word that you have obtained in this activity?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
What is it
How do you find the activity? How can you describe the graph you have made in
Activity A? Are the terms or words you obtained in Activity B will describe the graphs
in Activity A?

In the activity above, the distribution of the height of the teachers is one of the
examples of the distribution of a normal random variable because the set of
numerical values is normally distributed. Height is also described as a continuous
random variable. You have also noticed that the mean of the distribution can be
found at the center which is 141 cm and the distribution from the center to the right
is a mirror of the distribution to the left as shown in the figure and table below. See
Figure 1.
 Normal Probability Distribution is a probability distribution of
continuous random variables. It shows graphical representations of random variables
obtained through measurement like the height and weight of the students, the percentile
ranks of the A&E (Accreditation and Equivalency) Test result of the Alternative Learning
System students, or any data with infinite values. It is used to describe the characteristics of
populations and help us visualize the inferences we make about the population. It also
used to determine the probabilities and percentile of the continuous random variables in
the distribution. For example, your grades in Mathematics is one of the scores in the
distribution, you can predict the location of that score in the distribution and interpret it
with regards to the mean and standard deviation.
Properties 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 normal 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.

To visualize and understand the properties/characteristics of a normal curve,

please refer to figure 2, as shown below.

Fig. 2: Graph of a Normal Curve

A normally distributed random variable with a mean µ = 0 and standard deviation

ơ = 1 is called a standard normal variable. It is presented using standard normal
distribution where the center of the curve is zero, which is mean and added one unit
from the center to the right and subtract one unit from the center to the left. This is
shown below in figure 3.
 Fig. 3: Standard Normal Distribution

The shape of a normal curve is based on the two given parameters, the mean
and the standard deviation of the distribution. When comparing two distributions
each described by the normal curve, the following are the three situations based on
the said parameters
a. When the means are not equal, but the standard deviations are equal. (µ1
≠ µ2 ; ơ1 =ơ2 ), the curves have a similar shape but centered at different
points, as shown in figure 4.

Fig. 4: The Mean are Not Equal, but the Standard

Deviations are Equal.
b. When the means are equal, but the standard deviations are equal. (µ1 = µ2
; ơ1 ≠ ơ2 ), the curves are centered at the same point but they have different
height and spreads. as shown in figure 5.

Fig. 5: The Mean are Equal, but the Standard

Deviations are Not Equal.

c. When the means are different and the standard deviations are also different
(µ1≠ µ2 ; ơ1 ≠ ơ2 ), the curves are centered at different points and vary in
shapes, as shown in figure 6.
 Fig. 6: The Means are Different and the Standard Deviations
are also Different
EMPIRICAL
RULE

You can easily understand the functions of normal probability distribution in our
real-life world using the empirical rule. Because this rule is used to roughly test the
distribution’s normality, if many data of a random variable fall outside the lower and
upper limits of the three-standard deviation, this means that the distribution is not
normal.
The empirical rule is better known as 68% - 95% - 99.70% rule. This rule
states that the data in the distribution lies within one (1), two (2), and three (3) of the
standard deviation from the mean are approximately 68%, 95%, and 99.70%,
respectively. Since the area of a normal curve is equal to 1 or 100% as stated on its
characteristics, there are only a few data which is 0.30% falls outside the 3-standard
deviation from the mean. For instance, the distribution of the grades of the Senior
High School students in Statistics and Probability for the Third Quarter is shown
below in Figure 7.

Fig.7. Distribution of the Grades of the SHS Students in Statistics and

Probability for the Third Quarter

Using the empirical rule, you can say that the distribution of the grades of the
Senior High School in Statistics and Probability are distributed normally because the
shape of the graph is bell-shaped and symmetric about its mean, which is 87. This
also indicates that most of the students’ grades fall close to the mean and fewer of
them are far below and/or above the mean
It can summarize the distribution in the following percentage:
  68% of data lies within 1 standard deviation from the mean have a grade
of 83 to 91
 95% of data lies within 2 standard deviations from the mean have a grade
of 79 to 95
 99.70% of data lies within 3 standard deviations from the mean have a
grade of 83 to 9
Illustrative Example 1:
The scores of the Senior High School students in their Statistics and Probability
quarterly examination are normally distributed with a mean of 35 and a standard
deviation of 5.
Answer the following questions:
a. What percent of the scores are between 30 to 40?
b. What scores fall within 95% of the distribution?
Solution:
Draw a standard normal curve and plot the mean at the center. Then, add the
standard deviation to the mean once and mark it to the right of the mean. Add twice
the standard deviation to the mean and put it to the right of the first sum. Then, add
thrice the standard deviation to the mean and mark it to the right of the second sum.
Do the same to the left. This time, instead of adding, subtract the standard deviation
from the mean. An illustration is provided below in figure 7:

Fig. 7: Distribution of Scores of Senior High School Students

Answer:
a. The scores 30 to 40 falls within the first standard deviation from the mean.
Therefore, the scores that fall between 30 and 40 is approximately 68% of the
distribution.
b. Since 95% of the distribution lies within 2 standard deviations from the mean,
then the scores corresponding to this area of the distribution are scores from
25 up to 45.
Illustrative Example 2:
The district nurse of Candelaria East needs to measure the BMI (Body Mass
Index) of the Alternative Learning System students. She found out that the
heights of male students are normally distributed with a mean of 160 cm and
a standard deviation of 7 cm. Find the percentage of male students whose
height is within 153 cm to 174 cm.
Fig. 8: Distribution of BMI of the Alternative Learning System Students

Solution: The mean of this problem is 160, it is subtracted by 7 to the left (e.g. 160
-7 = 153; 153-7 = 146; 146 – 7 = 139) and add 7 to the right. (e.g. 160 + 7 = 167; 167
+ 7 = 174 + 7 = 181).

As stated in figure 8, 153 cm falls at 1 standard deviation from the mean to

the left and the height of 174 cm falls at 2 standard deviations from the mean to the
right. Therefore, it covers the whole 68% and 13.5%. of the distribution and the sum
of it is 81.5%

ANSWER: 81.5% of the male students have a height between 153 cm to 174 cm.
What’s More
Activity 1.

A. Use Empirical rule to complete the following table. Write on the respective column
the range or interval of the scores based on the given parameters.

Mean Standard 68% 95% 99.7

Deviation %
Ex 50 3 47 to 44 to 41 to
53 56 59
1 135 28
2 87 5.5
3 213 15
4 567 20
5 785 29
 What I Have Learned
1. A normal random variable is a set of a numerical value of continuous random
variables which is normally distributed.
2. Normal Distribution is a probability distribution of continuous random variables.
It also represents the probability, or the proportion, or the percentage associated
with specific sets of measurement values.
3. A normal curve has the following characteristics:
a. It should be bell-shaped and symmetric about its center.
b. Both sides of the tails of a normal curve do not touch the horizontal axis.
c. In the horizontal axis, use 0 at the center where the mean is located and use
1, 2, and 3 to the right and -1, -2 and -3 to the left. But still, remember there
is an integral part of each number. However, it is not limited to the -3 and 3,
it is extended indefinitely
d. The distances between numbers in the horizontal line or the x-axis are
always equal.
4. Empirical rule. This rule states that the data in the distribution lies within the 1, 2,
and 3 of the standard deviation of the mean.
5. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of data lies within 1 standard deviation from the mean.
6. Ninety-five percent (95%) of data lies within the 2-standard deviation from the
mean.
7. Ninety-nine and seven-tenths percent (99.70%) of data lies within the 3-standard
deviation from the mean.

Additional Activities
Read the following problems carefully. Apply the empirical rule and illustrate your
answer through a diagram.
1. IQ scores of the ALS students in the Division of Quezon are normally
distributed with a mean of 110 and a standard deviation of 10.
a. What percent of the distribution falls within the IQ scores of 100 to 130?
b. What percent of the distribution falls within the IQ scores of 90 to 140?
2. A normal distribution of data has a mean of 78 and a standard deviation of 9.
a. What scores fall within 68% of the distribution?
b. What scores fall within 95% of the distribution?
Lesson 2 Identifying Regions under Normal
Curve Corresponds to Different
Standard Normal Values
In your previous lessons in Mathematics, you learned how to solve for the area of
certain geometric figures or shapes. This time, you are going to identify the areas or
regions of a curve without using a formula or even a density function of standard
normal random variables because the z – table or Table of Areas under the Normal
Curve is already given on the last page of this module.

What is It
In the previous module, we discussed the properties of the normal probability
distribution, and one of the things that you learned is that the total area under the curve
is equal to one. Since the standard normal distribution is defined as normally distributed
random variable having a mean of zero ( µ= 0 ) and standard deviation of one (ơ = 1),
the fifty (50) percent of the region under the curve is below the mean and the other 50%
is above the mean. Figure 1, as shown below illustrate the standard normal curve.

Figure 1: Standard Normal Curve

You can easily identify the area of the regions under the normal curve by using
the Table of Areas under the Normal Curve which is also known as z-Table (see
attachment at the last page of this module). This table gives the area of any
value of z from -3.99 to 3.99. The value from this table will describe the area of the
specific region of the curve to the left of the given z-value.
How to use the Table of Areas under the Normal Curve?
Example: Find the area to the left of -1.69
Solution: First, split the given z-value into hundredths. We can find the whole
number and the tenths digit (-1.6) at the left side of the table while the hundredths
(0.09) located at the uppermost of the table. Then the intersection of these numbers
will be the area of the normal curve to the left of the z-value.
Illustration:

Answer: The area to the left of z= -1.69 is 0.0455.

STEPS ON HOW TO FIND THE AREA THAT CORRESPONDS TO Z –VALUE
1. Draw/sketch a normal curve and locate the given z-value on the normal curve
2. Shade the region of the curve according to the condition of z-value whether it is
below, above, or between.
3. Use the table of the area under the normal curve to find the corresponding area.
4. Choose the appropriate operation based on step 2 and 3
When the z-value is to the left or any related terms (e.g. below, less than) just
write the value we obtained in step 3
When the z-value is to the right or any related terms (e.g. above, greater than),
subtract 1 by the obtained value in step 3
When the shaded region is in between of the two z-value, subtract the biggest
by the smallest value obtained in step 3
5. Label the shaded region and draw a conclusion
Example 1: Find the area that corresponds below z = -1.35
Solution:
Step 1. Draw/sketch a normal curve and locate the given z-value.
Step 2: Shade the region of the curve according to the condition of z-value
whether it is below, above, or between.

Step 3. Use the table of the area under the normal curve to find the
corresponding area

The intersection between -1.3 and 0.05 is 0.0885

Step 4. Choose the appropriate operation based on step 2 and 3
4.1 When the z-value is to the left or any related terms (e.g. below, less
than) just write the value we obtained in step 3
Since the shaded region of the curve is to the left of the z= -1.35
and the intersection between -1.3 and 0.05 is 0.0885. Therefore,
the area of the shaded region is 0.0885
Step 5. Label the shaded region and draw a conclusion.
 Therefore, the area that corresponds below z = -1.35 is 0.0885.

Example 2: Find the area to the right of z = -1.35

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3.

The intersection between -1.3 and 0.05 is 0.0885

Step 4. Since the shaded region is to the right of z-value, we will subtract 0.0885
from 1. The difference is 0.9915

Step 5

Therefore, the area to the right of z = -1.35 is 0.9915.

Example 3: Find the area between z = -1.30 and z = 2
Step 1:
 Step 2:

Step 3. The value that corresponds to z= 1.3 is 0.0968 and z= 2 is

0.4772.
Step 4. Since the shaded region is within the two z-value, subtract 0.4772 by
0.0968. The difference is 0.8804
Step 5 Therefore, the area between z = -1.30 and z = 2 is 0.8804.

What’s More
Activity 1.
Identify the regions under the normal curve of the following standard normal values
using the z table (refer to the last page of this module).
1. z = - 3.25 _
2. z = 1.25
3. z = 0.56
4. z = 3 _
5. z = 1.96 _

What I Have Learned

1. The total area of the normal curve is 1
2. Z-table or Table of Areas Under Normal Curve contains the corresponding
area of the z value.
3. Steps on how to find the area that corresponds to z –value.
a. Draw/sketch a normal curve and locate the given z-value on the normal curve
b. Shade the region of the curve according to the condition of z-value whether it is
below, above, or between.
c. Use the table of the area under the normal curve to find the corresponding area.
d. Choose the appropriate operation based on step 2 and 3.
e. Label the shaded region and draw a conclusion.
4. When the z-value is to the left or any related terms (e.g. below, less than) just
write the value we obtained from the z table.
5. When the z-value is to the right or any related terms (e.g. above, greater than),
subtract 1 by the obtained value from the z table.
6. When the shaded region is in between of the two z-value, subtract the biggest by
the smallest value obtained from the z table.

Additional Activities
Do this additional activity in your paper.
Find the area that corresponds to each of the following z values. Sketch and label
each curve.
1. to the right of z = 1.28
2. below z= -0.20
3. above z= 1.57
4. at least z =-127
5. at most z = 1.39
6. between z = -1.29 and z= - 0.88
Lesson 3 Converting a Normal Random
Variable to a Standard Normal
Variable and Vice-versa
What is It
Was the activity fun and interesting? How did you manage to derive the
formula? Are you successful in completing the table?
The activity allows you to manipulate the given data and the missing value
through derivation. In this case, you convert the raw score (x) into the standard score
(z) using the formula z=
𝜎
x−μ . You substitute the given values and uses properties
σ
of equality and algebraic rules to obtain the needed data
In solving real-life problems involving the normal curve, it is particularly
important to convert a random variable x to a standard normal variable or z-score. This
procedure is known as “standardizing” or “standardization” of a random variable,
where a standardized value is called a z-score. A z-score is a measure of the number of
standard deviations (σ) a particular data value is away from the mean (μ).

Suppose your score on a test in Probability and Statistics is 39 and the scores
are normally distributed with a mean of 33 and standard deviation of 3, then your
score is exactly 2 standard deviations above the mean. If you scored 30, then it is
exactly 1 standard deviation below the mean. All values that are above the mean
have positive z-scores and all values that are below the mean have negative z-scores.
If you obtained a z-score of -3, this means that your score is 3 standard deviations
below the mean, that is, 33 – 3(3) = 33 – 9 = 24.
Given any value x from a normal distribution with mean μ and standard
deviation σ, to convert x to a z-score (standard normal score), you need to;
(a) Subtract the mean μ from x.
(b) Divide this quantity, x – μ , by the standard deviation σ.
The formula used in converting a random variable x to a standard normal
variable z is:
x−μ
z= σ

where: z – standard normal score or z – score

x – any data value in a normal distribution
μ - mean
σ - standard deviation
Example 1.
Suppose IQ scores are normally distributed with a mean of 100 and standard
deviation of 10. If your IQ is 85, what is your z-score? (Round off your answer to the
nearest hundredths)
Solution:
The z-score can be computed using the formula; x−μ
z= σ
85 − −1
z= 5 = − 1. 50
100 =
Example 2. 10
10
On a nationwide placement test that is normally distributed, the mean was
125 and standard deviation was 15. If you scored 149, what was your z-score?
(Round off your answer to the nearest hundredths)
Solution:
Using the formula x−μ
z= σ 149 − 125
= 15
24
= 1.60
= 15
Example 3.
The heights of teachers in Sta. Catalina National High School are normally
distributed with a mean of 150 cm and standard deviation of 15 cm. The height of Sir
Victor has a z-score of 3.25. What is the actual height of Sir Victor? (Round off your
answer to the nearest hundredths)
Solution:
In this example, z-score is given while the normal random variable is unknown.
To solve for the normal random variable x, multiply the z-score (z) by the standard

Therefore; 𝑥 = 𝑧𝜎 + μ
deviation σ, then add the mean μ.

= 3.25(15 cm) + 150 cm

= 48.75 cm + 150 cm
= 198.75

Example 4.
The time it takes for a cell to divide is normally distributed with an average of 60 minutes and
standard deviation of 5 minutes. How long will it take for a given cell to divide if its “mitosis”
has a z-score of -1.35?

𝑥 = 𝑧𝜎 + μ
Solution:

= -1.35(5 min) + 60 min

= -6.75 min + 60 min
x = 53.25 minutes
Example 5.
Suppose you have the population values 40 and 70 and that their corresponding z – scores are -1 and 2,
respectively. 1. Is it possible to determine the population’s mean and standard deviation? 2. If so, what are
these values?
Solution:
To begin, let us first identify the given. Let

𝒙 = 𝟓𝟑.
z1 =𝟐𝟓
-2 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔
x1 = 40 x2 = 70
z2 = 1

x = z1𝜎 + μ x = z2 𝜎 + μ
Use these given and substitute to the formula (12-2), we have

40 = -2𝜎 + μ 70 = 1𝜎 + μ

Note: In this example, we do not have 𝜎 1 and 𝜎 2, and μ 1 and μ 2 since we are
describing a single population. Thus, 𝜎 1 = 𝜎 2 = and μ 1 = μ 2 = μ.

40 = -2𝜎 + μ
Furthermore, we need to review our algebra specifically on systems of linear equation. So

70 = 1𝜎 + μ
equation 1
equation 2

40 = -2𝜎 + μ
Subtract equation 1 from equation 2 , we have

70 = 1𝜎 + μ
equation 1

30= 1 𝜎 – (-2 𝜎)
equation 2

30= 3 𝜎

=
30 3 σ

10= 𝜎
3 3

The standard deviation of the population is 10. To obtain the

mean, substitute it to either equation 1 or 2.
40 = −2 𝜎 + μ
70 = 1 𝜎 + μ
⇒ 40 = −2(10) + μ ⇒ 60 = μ
⇒ 70 = 1(10) + μ ⇒ 60 = μ
Both agrees that the mean of the population is 60.
Therefore, 1. It is possible to determine the population’s mean and standard deviation given only the raw
score (x) and its corresponding standard score (z). 2. The mean and standard deviation of the population is
60 and 10, respectively
What’s More
Independent Activity
Find Me
Supply the needed information by solving the missing value.
1. x = 25, µ= 40, σ = 6, z = ?
2. z = -2.25, µ= 218, σ = 36, x = ?
3. x = 39, µ= 30, σ = 3, z = ?
Independent Assessment
Solve Me
Solve the following problems.
1. The mean number of hours a Filipino worker spends on the computer is
3.1 hours per workday. Assume the standard deviation is 0.5 hour and is
normally distributed, how long does a worker spend on the computer if his
z-score is 1.2?
2. Each month, a Filipino household generates an average of 28 pounds of
newspaper for garbage or recycling. Assume the standard deviation is 2
pounds. Determine the z-score of a household that generates 22 pounds of
newspaper.
3. The Candelaria Automobile Association reports that the average time it takes
to respond to an emergency call is 30 minutes. Assume the variable is
normally distributed and the standard deviation is 4.5 minutes. How long will
a call be responded if it has a z-score of 0.75?
4. The average monthly salary for newly – hired teachers is P21,945. If the
distribution is approximately normal with a standard deviation of P3250. How
much will a teacher earn in a month if his salary has a z-score of 1.15?
Lesson 4 Computing Probabilities and
Percentile Using the Standard
Normal Table
What is It
How did you find the activity? Was it fun and challenging at the same time? How
did you determine the area of the shaded region? What are the strategies you commonly
used?
A normal distribution curve can be used as a probability distribution curve for

also be thought of as a probability. That is, if it's possible to select any 𝑧 value at random,
normally distributed variables. The area under the standard normal distribution curve can

the probability of choosing one, say, below 1.45 would be the same as the area under the

randomly selecting a 𝑧 value below of 1.45 is 0.9265 or 92.65%. The problems involving
curve at the left of 1.45. In this case, the area is 0.9265. Therefore, the probability of

probabilities and percentiles are solved in the same manner as finding the areas under a
normal curve.
In finding probabilities, the following notations will be used:
(a) P(Z < z) – probability at the left of z
(b) P(Z > z) = 1 – P(P < z) – probability at the right of z
(c) P(a < z < b) – the probability of z that is in between two other z values, say
a and b
(d) P(z < a ) ∪ P(z > b) – the probability of z is in the opposite direction of two
values, say a and b
(e) P(X < x) – probability at the left of a normal random variable x
(f) P(X > x) – probability at the right of a normal random variable x
(g) P(a < X < b) – the probability of a normal random variable X that is in
between two other normal random variables, say a and b.
(h) P(X < a ) ∪ P(X > b ) – the probability of x is in the opposite direction of
two values, say a and b
Example 1.
Find the probabilities for each of the following.
(a) P (Z < 1.32)
(b) P (Z < −1.05)
(c) P (−0.75 < Z < 1.56)
(d) P (Z > −0.88)
Solution:
(a) The probability P (Z < 1.32) means to find the area under the normal curve
at the left of z = 1.32. From the table, find the intersection on row 1.3 and
column 0.02. Thus, the probability is 0.9066 or 90.66%.

(b) The probability P(Z < −1.05) is the same as the area under the normal curve
at the left of z = −1.05. From the table, the area is 0.1469. Thus, the
 probability is 0.1469 or 14.69%.

(c) The probability P(−0.75 < Z < 1.56) is the same as the area under the
normal curve between z values -0.75 and 1.56. To get the area, subtract the
area of
z = −0.75 from the area of z = 1.56. Thus, P (−0.75 < Z < 1.56) =

P(Z < 1.56)– P(Z < −0.75) = 0.9406 – 0.2266 = 0.7140 or 71.40%.
(d) The probability P(Z > −0.88) is the same as the area under the normal curve
at the right of z = −0.88. To get the area, subtract the area of z =
−0.88 from 1. Thus, P(Z > −0.88) = 1 – P(Z < −0.88) = 1 – 0.1894 =
0.8106 or 81. 06%.

Example 2.

𝜎 = 3. Find the probabilities of the

Let X be a normal random variable with mean µ = 15 and standard deviation

following:
(a) P (X < 19)
(b) P (10 < X < 19)
Solution:
(a) To find the probability, convert the normal random variable 19 to a z-score.
Thus, P (X < 19) = x−µ 19−15 4
P (Z < ) = P (Z < ) = P (Z < ) = P (Z <
σ 3 3
From the table, the probability at the left of z = 1.33 is equal to 0.9082 or
 90.82%.

(b) To find the probability, convert the normal random variables 10 and 19 to
z values.
10−15 19−15
Thus, (10 < X < 19) =P( <Z< ) = P (-1.67 < Z
3 3
P(Z < 1.33) - P(Z < - 1.67). From the table, we have 0.9082 –
0.0475= 0.8607
86.07 % . These probabilities can also be applied to real-life problems.

These probabilities can also be applied to real-life problems.

Example 3.
The mean number of hours a Filipino worker spends on the computer is 3.1
hours per workday. Suppose the spending time is normally distributed with a
standard deviation of 0.5 hour, find the percentage of workers who spend less than
hours on the computer assuming that the variable is normally distributed.
Solution:
The percentage of workers who spend less than 3.5 hours is the same as the
area under the normal curve at the left of a normal random variable of 3.5
3.5−3.1
hours.Convert 3.5 hours to a z value . That is = 0.80 . From the table the area at
0.5
the left of z = 0.8 is 0.7881. Thus, the precentage of workers who spends less than 3.5 hours is
78.81 %.

Example 4.
Each month, a Filipino household generates an average of 28 pounds of
newspaper for garbage or recycling. Assume that the distribution is normal with a
standard deviation of 2 pounds. If a household is selected at random, find the probability
of its generating

a. between 27 and 31 pounds per month.

b. more than 30.2 pounds per month.
 Solution:
(a) The probability of generation between 27 to 31 is P(27< X< 31). This is
27−28 31−28
equal to P( < Z< ) = P ( -0.5 < Z< 1.50) = P(Z <1.50) - P(Z < -
2 2
0.5) = 0.9332 -0.3085= 0.6247. Thus , the probability of generating
between 27 to 31 pounds of newspaper per month is 0.6247 or 62.47%.

(b) The probability of generating more than 30.2 pounds per month is equivalent
to P(X > 30.2) which is equal to 1 – P(X < 30.2 ) since it is right tailed. 1- P ( X <
30.2) =
30.2−28
1 – P(Z < ) = 1 – P( Z < 1.10) = 1 – 0.8643 – 0.1357. Thus,
2
the probability of generating more than 30.2 pounds of newspaper per
month is 0.1357 or 13.57 %.

Example 5.
The Mauban Automobile Association reports that the average time it takes to
respond to an emergency call is 35 minutes. Assume the variable is approximately
normal and the standard deviation is 5.5 minutes. If 200 calls are randomly selected,
approximately how many were responded in less than 25 minutes?
Solution:
The number of calls responded in less than 25 minutes is equal to the
percentage of 200 calls which were responded in less than 25 minutes. First, find
25−35
P(X < 25). P(X < 25) = P (Z < ) = P(Z < -1.82). From the table , this is
5.5
 equal to 0.0344. Thus, there are ( 0.0344) ( 200) = 6.88 or approximately 7 calls
were responded in less than 25 minutes.

Example 6.
To help students improve their reading, Mauban south district decides to
implement a reading program. It is to be administered to the bottom 5% of the
students in the district, based on the scores of a reading achievement test which are
normally distributed. If the average score for the students in the district is 122.6 and
the standard deviation is 18, find the cut-off score that will make a student eligible
for the program.

Solution:
The problem is asking for a
normal random variable that
corresponds to a z value and
occupying an area of 5% or 0.05
from the left under the normal
curve. To find this normal random
variable which is the cut-off score
that will make a student eligible for
the reading program, look for the z
value on the table corresponding to
an area of 0.05
and that is equal to −1.645. Then, convert this z value to a normal random variable
x, that is, x = z σ + µ = (−1.645)(18) + 122.6 = −29.61 + 122.6 = 92.99 ≈ 93.
Therefore, a student will be eligible in the reading program if he scored 93 and
below.

Example 7.
To pass in the accreditation and
equivalency (A&E) test, ALS students must
score in the top 15% in general ability tests.
The test has a mean of 200 and a standard
deviation of 20. Find the lowest possible score
to pass the test assuming the test scores are
normally distributed.
Solution:
The lowest possible score is the normal
random variable corresponding to a
z value occupying an area of 0.15 from the right
of the normal curve. To solve for the required
variable, given that P(Z > z) = 0.15 NOTE:
Remember P(Z < z) + P(Z > z) = 1
P(Z > z) = 0.15
1 – P(Z > z) = 1 – 0.15
1 – P(Z > z) = 1 – 0.15 since it is right tailed
= 0.85
from the table, look for the z value corresponding to this area.
 Thus, z = 1.03 then convert this to a normal random variable x
x = z σ + µ = (1.03)(20) + 200 = 220.6 ≈ 221
Therefore, the lowest possible score to pass the test is 221.

What’s More
Assessment
Solve Me !
Solve the following problems by supplying the needed information.
The average number of calories in a 1.8-ounce chocolate bar is 230. Suppose
that the distribution of calories is approximately normal with a standard deviation of 10.
1. Find the probability that a randomly selected chocolate bar will have less
than 200 calories.
2. Find the probability that a randomly selected chocolate bar will have greater
than 195 calories.
3. What is the percentage that a chocolate bar is randomly selected between
200 calories and 250 calories?