CHAPTER 2: NORMAL DISTRIBUTION

LESSON 1: UNDERSTANDING THE NORMAL CURVE DISTRIBUTION

In this chapter we will discuss probability distribution that serve as a model in inferential statistic.

Visualizing a frequency distribution – A frequency distribution table of the scores in mathematics test.

* X (scores ) F
Task: 21 2
20 3
 Sketch the polygon of the data 19 7
 Describe the shape of the polygon 18 11
 The score are ordered from the lowest to the highest .what can you 17 6
observe about the frequencies of the scores. 16 3
15 1
14 35

Visualizing a normal distribution

TASK 1:

 Sketch the graph of the frequency polygon of each distribution.

 Use the chart wizard of the MS Excel program to sketch the graphs if a computer is available.
 Answer the question that follow.

1. Graph the frequency polygon of the following scores of students X (Scores) F

In a quiz. Here are 5 students who took the quiz. 3 1
2 3
1 1
N 5

2. Now let us increase the number of students to 14. Observe what

X(Score) F
Will happen to the shape of the graph. 5 1
4 3
3 5
2 3
1 1
N 14
 X(Score) f
9 1
3. Let us further increase the number of students. From the First graph 8 2
to the third graph, observe the transformation of the figures. 7 4
6 7
5 11
4 7
3 4
2 2
1 1
N 42

4. If we continue to increase the numbers of students, what will be the shape of the graph?
Take note also of its skewness.

5. For each distribution, compute the three measures of averages: mean, median, and mode.
What do you notice? What does this imply?

6. Where did you find these measure on the graph?

7. What generalization you can make?

UNDERSTANDING THE STANDARD NORMAL CURVE

Standard normal curve – Is a normal probability distribution that is most commonly used as a
model for inferential statistics. The equation that describes a normal curve is:
1
−
2

Where:
Ƴ = height of the curve particular values of X
X = any score in the distribution
Ơ = standard deviation of the population
µ = mean of the population
е = 2.7183

THE STANDARD NORMAL CURVE

-A standard normal curve is a normal probability distribution that has a mean µ=0 and a
standard deviation ơ=1.

Table of Areas under the Normal Curve is also known as the z-Table. The z-score is a measure
of relative standing. It is calculated by subtracting X (or ơ). The final result, the z- score,
represents the distance between a given measurement X and the mean, expressed in standard
deviations. Either the z-score locates X within a sample or within a population.
LESSON 2: UNDERSTANDING THE Z-SCORES
EXPLORING THE Z-SCORE

Z-SCORE
-The areas under the normal curve are given in terms of z-values or scores. Either the z-scores
locates X within a sample or within a population.

The formula for calculating z is:

𝒙−µ
𝒛=
ơ
(z-score for population data)

𝑿−𝑿
𝒛=
𝒔
(z-score for sample data)

Where:

X= given measurement
µ= population mean
ơ= population standard deviation
X= sample mean
S= sample standard deviation

Examples:
1. Reading Scores
- Given the mean, µ =50 and the standard deviation, ơ =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= ơ
findings z-scores of population data.
2. Check the given values. Since these µ=50, ơ=4, and X=58
are population values, the z-scores
locates X within a population.
58−50
3. Substitute the given values in the z= 4
computing formula.
8
4. Compute the z-value. z= 4 = 2

Thus, the z-value that corresponds to the raw

score 58 is 2 in a population distribution.

LESSON THREE: IDENTIFYING REGIONS OF AREAS UNDER THE NORMAL CURVE

Using the z-Table in determining Areas Under the Normal Curve when z is given

TASKS:
- Be ready with z-table
- Recall the suggested steps in computing areas under the normal curve when z is given.

Examples:

Find the area that correspond to each of the following z-values:

1. Z=0.3

2. Z=1.96

3. Z=1.15IF Z=0.3

1. IF Z=0.3
STEPS SOLUTION