UNDERSTANDING THE Z-SCORES
Lesson Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
1. relate a random variable distribution to a normal
variable distribution;
2. understand the concept of the z-score;
3. convert a random variable to a standard normal
variable and vice-versa; and
4. solve problems involving random and normal
variables.
What is Normal Distribution?
• A probability function that describes how the values of a variables are
distributed.
What is Standard Normal Curve?
• A standard normal curve is a normal probability distribution that has a
mean standard deviation
How do we measure the area under the normal curve?
• By using a Z - table
Lesson Introduction
z-score 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 of the
mean and three z-scores to the right of the mean.
Discussion Points
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. The formula for calculating z is:
where:
X = given measurement /Raw Score
μ = population mean
σ = population standard deviation
= sample mean
s = sample standard deviation
Discussion Points
For any population, the mean and the
standard deviation are fixed. Thus, the z
formula matches the z-values one-to-one with
the X values (raw scores). That is, for every X
value there corresponds a z-value and for
each z-value there is exactly one X value.
Discussion Points
The z values are matched with specific areas under
the normal curve in a normal distribution table.
Therefore, to find the percentage associated with X,
we must find its matched z-value using the z-
formula.
The z-value leads to the area under the curve found
in the normal curve table, which is a probability, and
that probability gives the desired percentage for X.
Example 1
Given the mean, μ = 50 and the standard deviation, σ = 4 of a
population of Reading scores. Find the z-value that
corresponds to a score X = 58.
Example 1
This conversion from raw score to z-score is
shown graphically
From the diagram, we see that a score X = 58 corresponds to z = 2. It is above the
mean. So, we can say that, with respect to the mean, the score of 58 is above
average.
Example 2
Locate the z-value that corresponds to a PE
score of 39 given that μ = 45 and σ = 6.
With respect to the mean, the score 39 is below the population mean. We can also
say that the score 39 is below average.
Example 3
Locate the z-value that corresponds to a Science
test score of 20 given that = 26 and s = 4.
With respect to the mean, the score 20 is below the sample mean. We can also say
that the score 20 is below average.
Example 4
Covert a standard normal variable (z-score) to normal random
variable (X).
1. z = 1, μ = 50 and σ = 6
2. z = -2.5, = 45 and s = 4
Exercises
Summary
Properties of the Normal Probability Distribution
The distribution curve is bell-shaped.
The curve is symmetrical about its center.
The mean, the median, and the mode coincide at the
center.
The width of the curve is determined by the standard
deviation of the distribution.
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.
The area under the curve is 1. Thus, it represents the
probability or proportion or the percentage associated with
specific sets of measurement values.
Summary
1. 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. The formula
for calculating z is:
Summary
Importance of the z-scores
Raw scores may be composed of large values, but large values
cannot be accommodated at the base line of the normal curve. So,
they have to be transformed into scores for convenience without
sacrificing meanings associated with the raw scores.
