Southern Maramag Colleges Module 3 STATISTICS AND PROBABILTY

P2 South Pob., Maramag, Buk. NORMAL DISTRIBUTION

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Name: ________________________________________________ Grade 11 Submission Date: ______________

Learning Outcomes
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. identifies regions under the normal curve corresponding to different standard normal values;
2. converts a normal random variable to a standard normal variable and vice versa; and
3. computes probabilities and percentiles using the standard normal table.

LESSON 1 Understanding the Normal Distribution

ACTIVITY 1
Direction: Research about the following:
a. events/real life situations that generate random variables that have the natural tendency to approximate the
shape of a bell.
b. The importance of normal curve in statistics.

Visualizing a Normal Distribution

If a well-prepared test is administered to a class of 100 students, there will be a few high scores, as well as a few
low scores. Most of the scores will be found in between these two extreme scores. In reality, if a distribution consists of
a very large number of cases and the three measures of average (mean, median and mode) are equal, then the
distribution is symmetrical and the skewness is 0. In Statistics, such distribution is called normal distribution or simply
normal curve.

Figure 1. The normal Probability Distribution

Properties of The Normal Probability Distribution
1. The distribution curve is bell-shaped.
2. The curve is symmetrical about its center.
3. The mean, the median and the mode coincide at the center.
4. The width of the curve is determined by the standard deviation of the distribution.
5. The tails of the curve flatten out indefinitely along the horizontal axis, always approaching the axis but never
touching it. That is, the curve is asymptotic to the base line.
6. The area under the curve is 1. Thus, it represents the probability or proportion or the percentage associated
with specific sets of measurement values.
The Standard Normal Curve
The standard normal curve is a normal probability distribution that is most commonly used as a model for
inferential statistics. It has a mean μ of 0 and a standard deviation σ = 1. The equation that describes a normal curve is:
where:
Y = height of the curve particular values of X
X = any score in the distribution
σ = standard deviation of the population
μ = mean of the population

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π = 3.1416 e = 2.7183
By substituting the mean, μ = 0 and the standard deviation, σ = 1 in the formula, mathematicians are able to
find the areas under the normal curve. Fortunately, these areas have been determined for our use. The area between -3
and +3 is almost 100% because the curve almost touches the horizontal line. Thus, there is small fraction of the area at
the tails of the distribution.
The Table of Areas under the Normal curve ( also known as z-Table)
It is a measure of relative standing. It is calculated by subtracting X from the measurement X and then dividing
the result by σ . The final result, the z-score, represents the distance between a given measurement X and the mean,
expressed in standard deviation. Either the z-score locates X within a sample or within a population.

ACTIVITY 2 Table of Areas under the Normal Curve

Direction: Research about the Table of Areas under the Normal Curve/z-Table. Then paste/print it in a short bond paper.
You may print two copies of z-Table, the one will be submitted and the other one will be your copy.

Four Step Process in finding the Areas under the Normal Curve Given a z-Value:
1. Express the given z-value into a three-digit form.
2. Using the z-Table, find the first two digits on the left column.
3. Match the third digit with the appropriate column on the right.
4. Read the area (or probability) at the intersection of the row and the column. This is the required area.
Examples:
1. Find the area that corresponds to z = 1.
Finding the area that corresponds to is the same as finding the area between z = 0 and z = 1.
Step 1. z = 1.00
Step 2. In the z- Table, find the Row z = 1.00
Step 3. In the table, find the Column with the heading .00.
Step 4. Read the area (or probability) at the intersection of Row 1.0 and the Column .00. This area is 0.3413. This is the
required area.
ACTIVITY 3
Direction:
A. Find the corresponding area between z = 0 and each of the following. Write your answer below.
a. z = 0.96
b. z = 1.74
c. z = 2.18
d. z = 2.69
e. z = 3.00
B. Model of Normal curve
For this activity, you can use cardboard/folder/ any cartoon. Use your creativity for this activity.
 Research more about normal probability distribution.
 Prepare a handy cardboard model of a normal curve.
 Use the cardboard model to sketch a normal curve. Leave marginal space at the tails.
 Check your sketch if it conforms to the properties of a normal probability distribution.
C. Reflect
Why would a large sample set of data be favourable for making decisions? Explain your answer. Write your answer on
separate sheet of paper.
LESSON 2 Understanding the z-scores
The z-score
The areas under the normal curve are given in terms of z-values or scores. Either the z-score locates X within a
sample or within a population.
X−μ X− X́
The formula for calculating z is: z= (z-score for population data) z = (z-score for sample data)
σ s
where: X = given measurement σ = population standard deviation s = sample standard deviation
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μ = population mean X́ = sample mean
ACTIVITY 4
Direction: Answer the question and write your answer below.
1. What is the importance of z-scores?

Exploring the z-score

1. Reading Scores
Given the mean, μ = 50 and the standard deviation, σ = 4 of the population of reading scores. Find the z-value that
corresponds to score X = 58.
Steps Solution
1. Use the computing formula for finding z-scores of X−μ
z=
population data. σ
2. Check the given values. Since these are population μ = 50, σ = 4 and X = 58
values, the z-score locates X within a population.
3. Substitute the given values in the computing 58−50
z=
formula. 4
4. Compute the z-value. 8
z= =2
4
Thus, the z-value that corresponds to the raw score 58 is 2
in a population

Figure 2. Normal Curve showing z-scores and Raw scores

ACTIVITY 5
Direction: State whether the z-score locates the raw score X within a sample or within a population.
1. X = 50, s = 5, X́ = 40
2. X = 40, σ = 8, μ = 52
3. X = 36, s = 6, X́ = 28
4. X = 74, s = 10, X́ = 60
5. X = 82, σ = 15, μ = 75
Given X́ = 62 and s = 8. Find the z- score value that corresponds to each of the following scores up to two decimal
places:
1. X = 70
2. X = 78
3. X = 82
4. X = 50
5. X = 42
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LESSON 3 Identifying regions of areas under the normal curve
Identifying regions under the Normal Curve
 Draw a sketch of normal curve
 Draw a vertical line through the specified z –values and shade the region.
1. z = 0 and z = 1 4. z = -1 and z = -2
2. z = 0 and z = - 1 5. z = 2 and z = 3
3. z = 1 and z = 2 6. z = -2 and z = -3
Using the z-table, we can determine specific regions under the normal curve. Specific regions can be determined in
terms of their usefulness in a situation.
Since the z-table provides the proportion of the area (or probability or percentage) between any two specific values
under the curve, regions under the curve can be described in terms of area. For example, the area of the region between
z = 0 and z = 1 is given in the z-table to be .3413. We can so operations with the areas to identify more regions under the
curve. So, to find the area of the region between z = 1 and z = 2, we subtract .3413 from .4772 resulting in .1359. It is
graphically shown below.

Figure 3. Area under the normal curve between z = 1 and z = 2

Similarly, the area of the region between z = 0 and z = 3 is given in the z –able to be .4987. so, the area of the region
between z = 2 and z = 3 is given by .4987 - .4772 = .0215.
If we want to identify the regions under the normal curve in terms of percent, the graph of the distribution would look
like this:

Figure 4. Area under the Normal Curve between z = 2 and z = 3

If we want to identify the regions under the normal curve in terms of percent, the graph of the distribution would look
like this:

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Using the z – table in Determining Areas under the Normal Curve when z is given
 Be ready with a z-table
 Recall the suggested steps in computing areas under the normal curve when z is given.
Examples:
Find the area that corresponds to each of the following z-values.
1. z = 0. 3
Steps Solution
1. Write the given z-value into a three-digit form. z = 0.30
2. Find the first two digits in Row 0.3
3. Locate the third digit in Column .00
4. Take the area value at the intersection of Row 0.3 This area is 0.1179
and Column .00
2. z = -1.15
Steps Solution
1. Write the given z-value into a three-digit form. z = 1.15
2. Find the first two digits in Row 1.1
3. Locate the third digit in Column .05
4. Take the area value at the intersection of Row 1.1 This area is 0.3749
and Column .05
When z is negative, simply ignore the negative sign and proceed as before. The negative sign informs us that the
region we are interested in is found on the left side of the mean. Areas are positive values.
ACTIVITY 6
Direction: Answer the following.
A. Use the z-table to find the area that corresponds to each of the following:
1. z = .56
2. z = 1.32
3. z = - 1.05
4. z = -2.18
5. z = -2.58
B. Explain the usefulness of the z-value in making sense of numerical data. Write your answer below.

Reference: Baccay, E et. Al (2016). Statistics and Probability. First Edition.Manila,Philippines: Rex Book Store. pp.21-45
Prepared by: Roselle S. Villaquer Contact details: 09107969153/[email protected]