Learning Guide Module

Subject Code Stat1 Introduction to Statistics

Module Code 18.0 Random Variable and its Probability Distribution, Part 2
Lesson Code 18.3 Normal Approximation to the Binomial; Practice Problems
Time Limit 30 mins.

IGNITE
When we deal with a binomial random variable with large number of trials, you might
observe that calculating the probabilities will be too difficult or impossible without the use
of statistical tools. If we investigate the shape of a binomial distribution, we can observe that it
resembles the normal distribution when the probability of success (𝑝) is approximately 0.5 and the
number of trials (𝑛) is large enough. In fact, the closer 𝑝 is to 0.5 and the larger the 𝑛 is, the more it
resembles the shape of the normal distribution. The figures below show how the binomial distribution
(bars) compares to the normal distribution (curve) on different values of 𝑝 and 𝑛.

Figure 1

Figure 2

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 Figure 3

Figure 4

We can observe from the figures how the values of 𝑝 and 𝑛 affects the shape of the distribution.
However, how do we determine if 𝑛 is already “large enough”? It depends on the probability of success.
This is because when 𝑝 is close to 0 or 1 and 𝑛 is small, a normal approximation would yield inaccurate
results (as seen in Figure 1). For us to know whether a normal approximation can be used, we need to
check if we meet the Success/Failure Condition. This condition requires two things:
1. 𝑛𝑝 ≥ 10; and
2. 𝑛𝑞 ≥ 10.
The following is the procedure for the normal approximation to the binomial distribution:
1. Verify if the success/failure condition was satisfied.
2. Find the expected value and the standard deviation of the binomial distribution.
3. Write the problem in probability notation.
4. Find for the area under the normal distribution curve.

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Example 8: Ten percent of newborn babies are not being breastfed for different reasons. If a random
sample of 200 newborn babies is selected, find the probability that 10 or more are not
being breastfed.
Solution: Step 1: Here 𝑝 = 0.10, 𝑞 = 0.90, and 𝑛 = 200. Since 𝑛𝑝 = (200)(0.10) = 20 and
𝑛𝑞 = (200)(0.90) = 180, we can use the normal approximation.
Step 2: 𝐸(𝑋) = 𝑛𝑝 = (200)(0.10) = 20

𝑆𝐷(𝑋) = √𝑛𝑝𝑞 = √(200)(0.10)(0.90) = √18 ≈ 4.24

Step 3: 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 10)

𝑥−𝜇
Step 4: 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑥) = 𝑃 (𝑧 ≥ 𝜎
)
10−20
𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 10) = 𝑃 (𝑧 ≥ 4.24
) = 𝑃(𝑧 ≥ −2.3585) = 0.9908

To compare our answer to the actual binomial probability, we must use:

= 1 − 𝐵𝐼𝑁𝑂𝑀. 𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇(9,200,0.10, 𝑇𝑅𝑈𝐸)
= 1 − 0.0035
= 0.9965
Since this is just an approximation, the discrepancy (0.0057) between the two
answers is acceptable.

NAVIGATE
It is now your turn to apply the things we have discussed. Follow the indicated instructions
on each part. Some items are based on your textbook exercises (see references for the textbook titles).
You may write your answers in a clean sheet of paper following the usual format or you may type your
answers in a word document. Treat ODD numbers are practice (NOT GRADED) and EVEN numbered
exercises as the assessment (GRADED)
A. Determine whether each experiment is a binomial experiment or not.
1. Surveying 100 people to determine if they use copper face mask.
2. Selecting 30 high school students and recording their batch.
3. Drawing a card without replacement from a deck and getting a diamond.
4. Asking 300 people if they have a TikTok account.
5. Checking 50 people in the street whether they wear face shields correctly.
6. Asking 90 SYP students to see how many universities they applied for college admission.

B. Solve for what is asked. Use the function discussed in MS Excel if applicable.
1. A student takes a 15-question, multiple-choice exam with four choices for each question and
guesses on each question.
a) Find the probability of guessing at least 10 out of 15 correctly.
b) Find the probability of getting a grade of 60% (9 correct)?
2. Twenty-six percent of couples who plan to marry this year are planning destination weddings.
In a random sample of 12 couples who plan to marry, find the probability that
a) Exactly 6 couples will have a destination wedding
b) At least 6 couples will have a destination wedding
c) Fewer than 5 couples will have a destination wedding

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 3. During a survey conducted by SWS last November 21-25 among Filipinos, they asked the
respondents on their expectations of the Christmas holiday. The survey resulted to a record-
high of 15% Filipinos who believed the upcoming Christmas will be sad for them. Suppose you
randomly select 20 Filipinos, find the probability that
a) At most 8 believe that Christmas will be sad for them
b) Between 8 and 12, inclusive, Filipinos believe that Christmas will be sad for them
4. Referring to the same problem in #3, find the expected value, variance, and standard deviation
of the number of Filipinos who believed the upcoming Christmas will be sad for them for a
random sample of 200 Filipinos.
5. The probability of an internet service provider (ISP) encountering connectivity issues at any
given day is 9%. Suppose the status of connectivity for each day is independent. For a random
sample of 30 days, what is the expected value and standard deviation of the number of days the
ISP will encounter connectivity issues?

KNOT
In summary, we have discussed in this module the following concepts involving binomial
random variable and its distribution.
✓ Binomial distribution is one of the most common discrete probability distributions.
✓ A binomial experiment must satisfy the four requirements: fixed number of trials, only two
outcomes, independent trials, and fixed probability of success for each trial.
✓ A success in a binomial experiment does not necessarily mean to be a good or positive event.
✓ Notations used was established. Particularly, 𝑝, 𝑞, 𝑛 and 𝑋. Also, the use of 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥), 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑥),
and 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 𝑥) in writing questions about probabilities.
✓ Formula for computing probabilities of a binomial random variable:
𝑛!
𝑃(𝑋) = ∙ 𝑝 𝑋 ∙ 𝑞𝑛−𝑋
(𝑛 − 𝑋)! 𝑋!
✓ Use the MS Excel function 𝐵𝐼𝑁𝑂𝑀. 𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇 to easily compute probabilities. Just make sure to input
the correct arguments of the function = 𝐵𝐼𝑁𝑂𝑀. 𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇(𝑋, 𝑛, 𝑝, 𝐶𝑈𝑀𝑈𝐿𝐴𝑇𝐼𝑉𝐸). Reminder to be
careful on what to input on the cumulative argument, whether to indicate TRUE or FALSE.
✓ Formula for the expected value, variance, and standard deviation of a binomial random variable:
𝐸(𝑋) = 𝑛𝑝
𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋) = 𝑛𝑝𝑞
𝑆𝐷(𝑋) = √𝑛𝑝𝑞

✓ The normal distribution can be used to approximate the binomial distribution, provided the
success/failure condition was satisfied. That is,
𝑛𝑝 ≥ 10 and 𝑛𝑞 ≥ 10.

References:
1. Bluman, A.G. (2014). Elementary Statistics: A step by step approach (9th Edition). Mc-Graw Hill
2. De Veaux, R.D., Velleman, P.F., & Bock, D.E. (2014). Intro stats (New International Edition).
Great Britain: Pearson Education Limited
3. Navigate Part B #3 data retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/half-filipinos-expect-
christmas-sws-survey-november-2020

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 Prepared by: Mark Louvelle Parulan Reviewed by: Myrna B Libutaque
Position: SST I Position: SST V
Campus: PSHS – MC Campus: PSHS – WVC

ANSWERS TO NAVIGATE PART:

A.

1. binomial experiment
3. not a binomial experiment

5. binomial experiment

B.
1.
1
𝑛 = 15; 𝑝 =
4
a) 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 10) = 0.0008
b) 𝑃(𝑋 = 9) = 0.0034
3.
𝑛 = 20; 𝑝 = 0.15
a) 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 8) = 0.9987
b) 𝑃(8 ≤ 𝑋 ≤ 12) = 0.0059
5.
𝐸(𝑋) = 2.7
𝑆𝐷(𝑋) ≈ 1.57

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