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Using The Normal Distribution: Statistics Feati University

The document discusses the normal distribution and z-scores. It provides examples of calculating z-scores based on given means and standard deviations. Key points include: - A z-score indicates how many standard deviations a value is above or below the mean. - Z-scores allow values from different normal distributions to be compared on the same scale. - The normal distribution and z-scores can be used to find the probability of values falling above or below a certain point or to determine a cutoff score for a given percentile.

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Paul Poblacion Parreño
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© © All Rights Reserved
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32 views

Using The Normal Distribution: Statistics Feati University

The document discusses the normal distribution and z-scores. It provides examples of calculating z-scores based on given means and standard deviations. Key points include: - A z-score indicates how many standard deviations a value is above or below the mean. - Z-scores allow values from different normal distributions to be compared on the same scale. - The normal distribution and z-scores can be used to find the probability of values falling above or below a certain point or to determine a cutoff score for a given percentile.

Uploaded by

Paul Poblacion Parreño
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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USING THE

NORMAL
DISTRIBUTION
STATISTICS
FEATI UNIVERSITY
Z-scores
• If X is a normally distributed random variable and
X ~ N(μ,σ) then the Z-score is

• The z-score tells you how many standard deviations


the value is above (to the right of) or below (to the left
of) the mean, μ.

• Values of x that are larger than the mean have positive scores,
and values of x that are smaller than the mean have negatve z-
scores. If x equals the mean, then x has a z-score of zero.
Example
• Suppose X~ N(5,6). This says that x is a normally
distributed random variable with mean μ = 5 and standard
deviation σ = 6. Suppose x = 17. Then,

• This means that x = 17 is two standard deviations (2σ)


above or to the right of the mean μ=5. The standard deviation
is σ = 6.
Example
• Suppose X~ N(5,6). This says that x is a normally distributed
random variable with mean μ = 5 and standard deviation σ = 6.
Suppose x = 1. Then,

• This means that x = 11 is -0.67 standard deviations (-0.67)


below or to the left of the mean μ=5.
Example
• The mean height of 15 to 18-year-old males from Chile from
2009 t 2010 was 170 cm. with a standard deviation of 6.28 cm.
Male heights are known to follow a normal distribution. Let X
= the height of a 15 to 18-year-old male from Chile in 2009 to
2010. Then X ~ N(170,6.28)

• Find the z-score if a 15 to 18-year old male is 168 cm. tall.

This z-score tells you that x= 168 is 0.3184 standard


deviations to the right of the mean μ=170.
Example
• The mean height of 15 to 18-year-old males from Chile from
2009 t 2010 was 170 cm. with a standard deviation of 6.28 cm.
Male heights are known to follow a normal distribution. Let X
= the height of a 15 to 18-year-old male from Chile in 2009 to
2010. Then X ~ N(170,6.28)

• Find the height of a male if a 15 to 18-year old male has a z-


score of 1.27.

The man’s height is approximately 177.98 cm.


Example
• From 1984 to 1985, the mean height of 15 to 18-year old
males from Chile was 172.36 and the std dev was 6.34 cm. Let
Y=height of 15 to 18-yr old males. Hence, Y ~ N(172.36,6.34)

• The mean height of 15 to 18-yr old males from Chile from


2009 to 2010 was 170 cm. with a std. dev. Of 6.28 cm. Male
heights are known to follow a normal distribution. Let X =
height of a 15 to 18-yr old male from Chile in 2009 to 2010
Hence, Y ~ N(170,6.28)

Find the z-scores for x = 160.58 cm and y = 162.85.


Interpret the scores.
Solution

Both x = 160.58 and y = 162.58 deviate the


same number of standard deviations from
their respective means in the same direction.
Observe
• When z is positive, x is above or to the right of he mean μ and
when z is negative, x is to the left of or below.

• Or, when z is positive, x is greater than μ, and when z is


negative, x is less than μ.
Example
• Suppose X~ N(5,6). What is the z-score when x =1?

• This means that x = 11 is -3.67 standard deviations (-3.67)


below or to the left of the mean μ=5.
• The shaded area in the following graph indicates the area to
the left of x. The area is represented by the probability P (X <
x). Normal tables provide for the probability P(X < x).
The area to the right is then P(X>x) =1 – P(X<x).
Remember, P(X<x) = Area to the left of the
vertical line through x. P(X>x) = 1 – P(X<x) = Area
to the right of the vertical line through x.
If the area to the left is 0.0228, then the area to the
right is 1 – 0.0228 = 0.9772

If the area to the left is 0.012, then the area to the


right is 1 – 0.012 = 0.988.
Example

• The Prelim exam scores in a Statistics classes were normally


distributed with a mean of 63 and a standard deviation of 5.

• Find the probability that a randomly selected student scored


more than 65 on the exam.
Note
• The normal distribution can also be used to find specific date
values for given percentages.
Example
• To qualify for a police academy, candidates must score in the
top 10% on a general abilities test. The test has a mean of 200
and a standard deviation of 20. Find the lowest possible score
to qualify. Assume the test scores are normally distributed.

Solution
• Since the test scores are normally distributed, the test value
(X) that cuts off the upper 10% of the area under the normal
distribution is desired.
Solution
• Subtract 10% or 0.1000 from 1.000 to get the area under the
normal distribution between 200 (the mean) and X.

• 1.0000 - .1000 = .9000

• Find the z value that corresponds to an area of


.9000 by looking up .9000 in the area portion of the Table. If the
specific value cannot be found, use the closest value– in this case
.8997

• The corresponding value is 1.28


Solution
• Substitute in the formula

• And we get x = 226

• Conclusion: A score of 226 should be used as a cutoff.


Anybody scoring 226 or higher qualifies.
Example
• The scores on a test have a mean of 100 and a standard
deviation of 15. If a personnel manager wishes to select from
the top 75% of applicants who take the test, find the cutoff
score, assuming the variable is normally distributed.

Solution
• Since the test scores are normally distributed, the test value
(X) that cuts off the upper 75% of the area under the normal
distribution is desired.
Solution
• Subtract 75% or 0.75 from 1.00 to get the area under the
normal distribution between 100 (the mean) and X.

• 1.00 - .75 = .25

• Find the z value that corresponds to an area of


.25 by looking up .25 in the area portion of the Table. If the
specific value cannot be found, use the closest value– in this case
.25143

• The corresponding value is -0.67


Solution
• Substitute in the formula

• And we get x = 89.8 or 90

• Conclusion: A score of 90 should be used as a cutoff.


Anybody scoring 90 or higher qualifies.
Example
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 less than 21 minutes.

Solution

P(Z< -2) = .02275 There is a 2.28%probability that a


shopper will be in the store for less
than 21 minutes.
Example
From the previous example, supposing 200 customers visit
the grocery store. How many will stay for less than 21
minutes?

Solution

200 (.0228) = 4.56 or 5

5 Shoppers will visit the grocery


store and stay for less than 21
minutes.
• End of presentation

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