UNDERSTANDING THE

Z-SCORES
REPORTER: KC BAHINTING
 Exploring the z-score

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

µ = population mean
σ = population standard deviation
x = sample mean
s = sample standard deviation
 What is the importance of the z-scores?
Raw scores may be composed of large values, but large values cannot be 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. Recall that in the previous
chapter, the graph of random variables locates the X scores on the x-axis. In mathematics,
these locations are called zeroes. We connect this concept to the normal curve concept and
we call our standard deviations z (for zero) scores.
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.
The z values are matched with specific areas under the normal curve in a normal
distribution table. Therefore, if we wish to find the percentage associated with X, we must
find its matched x-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.
Examples:
1. Reading Scores

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.

Steps Solution

𝑋−µ
1. Use the computing formula for z= σ
finding z-scores of population data.
2. Check the given values. Since µ = 50, σ = 4, X = 58
these are population values, the z-
score locates X within a population.
3. Substitute the given values in the z=
58−50
4
computing formula.
4. Compute the z-value. 𝑥=4=2
8

Thus, the z-value that corresponds to

the raw scores 58 is 2 in a population
distribution.
2. Score in PE
Locate the z-value that corresponds to a PE score of 39 given that µ = 45
and σ = 6 .

Step Solution

1. Use the computing formula for z=

𝑋− µ
σ
finding z-scores of population data.
2. Check the given values. The z- µ = 45, σ = 6 and X = 39
score in question locates X in a
population.
3. Substitute the given values in the z=
39−45
6
computing formula.
4. Compute the z-value. −6
𝑥 = 6 = -1
Thus, the z value that corresponds to
the raw score 39 is -1 in a population
distribution.
3. Scores in a Science Test

Given X = 20, X = 26 and s = 4. Compute the corresponding z-score.

Steps Solution
𝑋 −𝑋
 Use the computing formula for z= 𝑠
finding z-scores of sample data.
 Check the given values. The z- X = 26, s = 4 and x = 20
score in question locates X in a
sample. 20−26
𝑥= 4
 Substitute the given values in the −6 3
computing formula. z= 4
= - 2
= -1.5

 Compute the z-value The corresponding z-score is -1.5 to the

left of the mean.