THE

z - score
The Normal Distribution

The z-score or Standard Score

The standard deviation values at the horizontal
base of a normal curve.
The measure of relative standing
It is a standard deviation value
It is the distance between a given value X and the
mean.
The Normal Distribution
The z-score formula
for population data

Where:
Χ −𝜇 X = Given measurement
𝑧=
𝜎
The Normal Distribution

The z-score
formula for sample
data
Where:
Χ−𝑋 X = given measurement
𝑧=
𝑠 = sample mean
s = standard deviation
The Normal Distribution

The z-formula
Used to find:
 Z score
 a raw score
 Mean or standard deviation
 Example 1:

In a population of Reading scores,

the population mean is 68, and the
population standard deviation is 5.
Find the z value that corresponds
to a score X = 73.
 Solution:

STEP 1

Use the computing formula Χ −𝜇

for finding z scores of 𝑧=
population data. 𝜎
 Solution:

STEP 2:

Check the given values. = 68

Since these are population =5
values, the z score locates X = 73
within a population.
 Solution:

STEP 3

Substitute the given value in the

computing formula and compute z=1
the value of z.
Thus, the raw score 73
corresponds to a z value of 1.
 The raw scores and the z scores in a
normal curve

Z score -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Raw Score 53 58 63 68 73 78 93
 The raw scores and the z scores in a
normal curve
The Raw score of 73 corresponds to
z = 1. It is above the mean. We say
that the score of 73 is above
average. In other words, the
population where the sample comes
is above average.
 Example 2: Scores in a Science Test

Given X = 20, = 26 and s = 4. Compute

the corresponding z-score.
Step 1: Use the computing formula for
finding z scores of population data.
Χ−𝑋
𝑧=
𝑠
 Example 2: Scores in a Science Test
Step 2: Check the given values.
X = 20, = 26 and s = 4
Step 3: Substitute the given value in the
computing formula and compute the value
of z. = = -1.5
The corresponding z-score is -1.5 to the left of the mean
which means below the average.
 QUESTIONS:
1. Why do we need z-score ?
2. How z-score compute in the video?
3. What is the importance of z-score in
our daily lives?
 Quiz
A. State whether the z score locates the raw score
X within a SAMPLE or within a POPULATION.
For every answer, indicate also whether each
raw score lies BELOW or ABOVE the mean. And
plot the given scores in the normal curve or bell
curve,
1. X = 50, s =5, = 44
2. X = 50, = 8, = 62
3. X = 38, s = 6, = 28
 Assignment:
A. State whether the z score locates the raw score
X within a SAMPLE or within a POPULATION.
For every answer, indicate also whether each
raw score lies BELOW or ABOVE the mean. And
plot the given scores in the normal curve or bell
curve,
1. X = 64, s = 10, = 50
2. X = 78, = 15, = 75