Module 5:

Normal Distribution

Mathematics & Physics Department

 Learning Outcomes

• At the end of the module, the student should be able to

• recognize the normal probability distribution and apply it appropriately.
• recognize the standard normal probability distribution and apply it
appropriately.
• compare normal probabilities by converting to the standard normal
distribution.
 Also known as Gaussian distribution, after the
mathematician and astronomer Karl Gauss.

 It is a continuous distribution which is regarded

by many as the most significant probability
distribution in the entire theory of statistics,
particularly in the field of statistical inference.
It is a graphically represented by
a symmetrical, bell-shaped curve
known as the normal curve.
It is characterized as follows:

•
1. The mean, median and mode have the same value, and therefore are
plotted on the same point (central point) along the horizontal axis.
2. The curve is symmetric about the vertical line which contains the mean.
3. The curve is asymptotic to the horizontal axis; that is, the curve extends
indefinitely in both directions.
4. The total area under the normal curve is equal to 1.
Standard Normal Distribution

• The standard normal distribution is a normal

distribution of standardized values called z-scores.
A z-score is measured in units of the standard
deviation.
https://www.statisticshowto.com/empirical-rule-2
https://www.mathsisfun.com/data/standar
d-normal-distribution-table.html
 Example
1. The IQ scores of a large group of students are approximately
normally distributed with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of
15. What is the probability that a randomly chosen student from this
group will have an IQ score
a. above 120?
b. below 128?
c. below 93?
d. between 98 and 105?
 Solution
a.above 120?
•

• is the same as “above 120”

• Read as “the probability that the z score > 120”
 Using…

• https://www.mathsisfun.com/data/standa
rd-normal-distribution-table.html
 Solution
b. below 128?

•
• read as “the probability that the raw score is above 128”

• below 128
 Solution

c. below 93?

•
 Solution

•between 98 and 105?

2. Consider a normal distribution with a mean of 500 and
standard deviation of 50.
a. Below what value can we expect to have the lowest 20%
b. Between what values can we expect to find the middle 80%
From PHStat
 Exercises on Normal Distribution
• 1. The lifetimes of the light bulbs produced by Filip Company are normally distributed with a mean
of 1,150 hours and a standard deviation of 175 hours.
a. What is the probability that a randomly chosen light bulb will have a lifetime of more than
1,000 hours?
b. What is the probability that a randomly chosen light bulb will have a lifetime of more than 980
hours?
c. What percentage of the light bulbs would be expected to last between 1,000 and 1,500 hours?
d. If there are 400 bulbs, how many lights bulbs would be expected to last between 1,000 and
1,500 hours?
 Exercises on Normal Distribution
2. A fastfood chain’s softdrink machine is calibrated so that it disperses an average of 225
milliliters per cup. The amount of drink is normally distributed with a standard deviation
equal to 15 milliliters.
• a. What is the probability that a cup will contain more than 242 milliliters?
• b. What is the probability that a cup contains between 202 and 215 milliliters?
• c. If there are 500 cups, how many cups are served for letter a? for letter b?
• d. How many cups will likely overflow if 250-milliliter cups are used for the next 500
drinks?