Normal
Distributions
Gaussian Distribution
Carl Friedrich Gauss
Learning Competencies:
• illustrates a normal random variable and its
characteristics
• constructs a normal curve
• identifies regions under the normal curve
corresponding to different standard normal
values
• converts a normal random variable to a
standard normal variable and vice versa
• computes probabilities and percentiles using
the standard normal table
The Normal
Random
Variable
Continuous Random Variable
considered normal when its
value are distributed normally,
that is, when majority of the
values are close to the expected
value with only very few values
that are extremely smaller and
extremely larger.
Gaussian Curve
Graph of Normal Distribution
Properties of the Normal Distribution
*The value of the variable approaches but
will never be equal to 0.
Properties of the Normal Distribution
Properties of the Normal Distribution
Properties of the Normal Distribution
7. The standard deviation affects both the
width and the height of the curve.
Properties of the Normal Distribution
8. The graph of a normal distribution is a
bell-shaped curve with two inflection points, one
on the left and another on the right. Inflection
points are the points that mark the change in the
curve’s concavity.
Properties of the Normal Distribution
9. The standard deviation precisely describes the spread
of the normal curve. In fact, approximately 68.3% of
the values in the distribution are within one standard
deviation of the mean (from each side), 95.4% is
within two standard deviations of the mean, and
99.7% is within three standard deviations of the
mean.
Example:
Find the standard deviation of
the normal distribution where
99.7% of the values fall between
52 and 82.
Example:
Assume that 68.3% of grade
11 students have heights
between 1.5 and 1.7m and
the data are normally
distributed.
a. Find the mean.
b. Compute the standard deviation.
c. Construct the normal curve of the normal
distribution.
1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9
0.0443 0.5399 2.4197 3.9894 2.4197 0.5399 0.0443
Understanding Z-scores
Z-scores
It is stated to be a measure of relative
standing. These scores represent
distances from the center measured
in standard deviation units. There are
six z-scores at the base line of the
normal curve: three z-scores to the
left and three z-scores to the right of
the mean.
The Z-scores
The areas under the normal curve are
given in terms of z- values or scores.
Standard Normal
Distributions
The Standard
Random Variable
Properties for the Standard Normal Distribution
z-table
-the table of probabilities or
the table of areas under normal curve.
The standard normal distribution table to
be used in this course gives areas under
the standard normal curve for the variable
Z ranging from 0 to a positive number z.
Fact: The area between 0 and a positive
value z is the same as the area between z
and 0. To find the area between z and 0, use the
value in the table corresponding to positive z.
Both regions have the same area.
Four-Step Process in Finding the Areas
Under the Normal Curve Given a z-Value
Step 1. Express the given z-value into a
three-digit form.
Step 2. Using the z-table, find the first two
digits on the left column.
Step 3. Match the third digit with the
appropriate column on the right.
Step 4. Read the area (or probability) at the
intersection of the row and the column.
The area is A=34.13%.
Find the area under the standard
normal curve between 0 and 2.58.
The area is A=49.51%.
Find the area under the normal
distribution between -1.15 and 0.
The area is A=37.49%.
Finding the areas of other regions
Case 1: Finding areas of region in the
TAILS
To find the area at any tail:
Look up the z-score to get the area.
Subtract the area from 0.5.
Example:
Find the area under the standard
normal curve for z greater than 2.
Finding the areas of other regions
Case 2: Finding areas between two values of
z with the SAME SIGN
Between two z scores on the same side of the
mean (or with the SAME SIGN):
Look up both z scores to get the areas.
Subtract the smaller area from the larger
area.
Finding the areas of other regions
Case 3: Finding areas between two values of z
with DIFFERENT SIGNS
Between two z scores on DIFFERENT sides of
the mean (or with DIFFERENT SIGNS):
Look up both z scores to get the areas.
Add the two areas.
Finding the areas of other regions
Case 4: Finding areas of regions to the LEFT
of a positive z or to the RIGHT of a negative z
To find the area to the left of any positive z
score or to the right of a negative z score:
Look up the z score to get the area.
Add 0.5 to the area.
AREAS/
CASE REGION INVOLVED
PROBABILITIES
tails - right of a positive z or Subtract the area
1
left of a negative z from 0.5
Subtract the
between two z values with the
2 smaller area from
same sign
the larger area
between two z values with
3 Add the two areas
opposite signs
cumulative - left of a positive z Add 0.5 to the
4
or right of a negative z area
