CONTINUOUS

PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTION
 CHARACTERISTICS:
• The vertical coordinate is a function of x,
Continuous Probability described as f(x) and referred to as the
probability density function.
Distributions
• The range of possible x values is along
Describe probabilities
the horizontal axis.
associated with random
variables that are able to • The probability that x will take on a value
assume any of an infinite between a and b will be the area under
number of value along an the curve between points a and b.
interval. associated with • The total area under the curve will be
random variables that are able equal to 1.0
 THE FAMILY OF NORMAL
DISTRIBUTION
CHRACTERISTICS:
• It is bell-shaped and has a single peak at the center of the distribution.
• It is symmetrical about the mean.
• It falls off smoothly in either direction from the central value. Also the
distribution is asymptotic.
• The location of a normal distribution is determined by the mean. The
dispersion of the distribution is determined by the standard deviation.
 THE STANDARD
NORMAL
DISTRIBUTION
 Any normal probability WHERE:
distribution can be converted • X is the value of any particular
into a standard normal observation or measurement.
probability • is the mean of the distribution.
 it is unique because it has • is the standard deviation of the
a mean of 0 and a standard distribution.
deviation of 1.
The weekly incomes of shift foremen in the glass industry follow the normal
probability distribution with a mean of $1,000 and a standard deviation of
$100. What is the z value for the income, let’s call it X, of a foreman who earns
$1,100 per week? For a foreman who earns $900 per week?
The z of 1.00 indicates that a weekly
income of $1,100 is one standard
deviation above the mean, and a z of
1.00 shows that a $900 income is
one standard deviation below the
mean. Note that both incomes
($1,100 and $900) are the same
distance ($100) from the mean.
“ Following their production, industrial generator shafts are tested for static and
dynamic balance, and the necessary weight is added to predrilled holes in order to
bring each shaft within balance specifications. From past experience, the amount of
weight added to a shaft has been normally distributed, with an average of 35 grams

”
and a standard deviation of 9 grams. What is the probability that a randomly
selected shaft will require between 35 and 40 grams of weight for proper balance?

𝑋−𝜇 40−35
𝑧= = = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟔
𝛿 9
The probability that the randomly selected shaft will require
between 35 and 40 grams is 0.7123 - 0.5000 = 0.2123.
 Follow up question:
What is the probability that a
What is the probability that a randomly selected shaft will require between
randomly selected shaft will require 41 and 49 grams of weight for
at least 50 grams of weight for proper balance?
proper balance? 𝑃(41 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 49)
50 − 35 41−35 49−35
𝑧= = 1.67 𝑧1 = 9
= 0.67 𝑧2 = 9
= 1.56
9
𝑃 𝑥 ≥ 50 = 0.4525 Area of 𝑧1 =0.2486 Area of 𝑧2 =0.4406
𝑃(41 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 49)= 𝑧2 -𝑧1
=0.4406- 0.2486=0.1920
 Practice Set:
1.Refer to the information regarding the weekly 1. Between $790 and $1,000?
income of shift foremen in the glass industry.
The distribution of weekly incomes follows the
normal probability distribution, with a mean of
$1,000 and a standard deviation of $100. What
Area of z = 0.4821
is the probability of selecting a shift foreman in
the glass industry whose income is: 2. Less than $790?
1. Between $790 and $1,000?
2. Less than $790?
 Practice Set
The mean amount spent by a family • 𝑧=
𝑋−𝜇
=
410−500
= −1.2
of four on food is $500 per month 𝜎 75
• P ( X ≤ 410 )= 0.1151
with a standard deviation of $75.
Assuming that the food costs are
normally distributed, what is the
probability that a family spends less
than $410 per month?
 Practice Set
A new extended-life light bulb has an • 𝐹𝑜𝑟 600
average life of 750 hours, with a 𝑧=
𝑋−𝜇
𝜎
=
600−750
50
= −3 Area= 0.0013
standard deviation of 50 hours. If • 𝐹𝑜𝑟 900
the life of these light bulbs 𝑋−𝜇 900−750
𝑧= = = 3 Area=0.9987
approximates a normal distribution, 𝜎 50
• P ( 600 ≤ x ≤ 900 ) =?
about what percent of the
= 0.9987 − 0.0013
distribution will be between 600
hours and 900 hours? = 0. 9974
 Practice Set
𝑋−𝜇 21−22
The weight of a bag of corn • 𝑧= 𝜎
= 0.5
= −2
chips is normally distributed Area = 0.4472
with a mean of 22 ounces and P( x ≥ 21 ) =?
a standard deviation of 0.5 =0.4472+.50
ounces. The probability that a =0.9772
bag of corn chips weighs more
than 21 ounces is ____.