Normal Distribution

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

2005

Objectives
Learning Objective - To understand the topic on Normal Distribution and its importance in different disciplines. Performance Objectives At the end of this lecture the student will be able to: Draw normal distribution curves and calculate the standard score (z score) Apply the basic knowledge of normal distribution to solve problems. Interpret the results of the problems.

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Types of Distribution
Frequency Distribution

Normal (Gaussian) Distribution

Probability Distribution Poisson Distribution Binomial Distribution Sampling Distribution t distribution F distribution
Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

What is Normal (Gaussian) Distribution?

The normal distribution is a descriptive model that describes real world situations.
It is defined as a continuous frequency

distribution of infinite range (can take any values not just integers as in the case of binomial and Poisson distribution).
This is the most important probability

distribution in statistics and important tool in analysis of epidemiological data and management science.

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Characteristics of Normal Distribution

It links frequency distribution to

probability distribution
Has a Bell Shape Curve and is

Symmetric
It is Symmetric around the mean:

Two halves of the curve are the same (mirror images)

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Characteristics of Normal Distribution Contd

Hence Mean = Median

The total area under the curve is 1 (or 100%) Normal Distribution has the same shape as

Standard Normal Distribution.

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Characteristics of Normal Distribution Contd

In a Standard Normal Distribution:

The mean ( ) = 0

and

Standard deviation () =1

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Z Score (Standard Score)3

Z =

X-

Z indicates how many standard

deviations away from the mean the point x lies.

Z score is calculated to 2 decimal

places.
Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Tables
Areas under the standard normal curve

(Appendices of the textbook)

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Diagram of Normal Distribution Curve (z distribution)

33.35%

13.6%

2.2%

0.15

-3

-2

-1

Modified from Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.
Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Distinguishing Features
The mean 1 standard deviation

covers 66.7% of the area under the curve

The mean 2 standard deviation covers

95% of the area under the curve

The mean 3 standard deviation covers

99.7% of the area under the curve

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Skewness
Positive Skewness:

Mean Median
Median Mean

Negative Skewness:

Pearsons Coefficient of Skewness3:

= 3 (Mean Median) Standard deviation

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Positive Skewness (Tail to Right)

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Negative Skewness (Tail to Left)

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Exercises
Assuming the normal heart rate (H.R) in

normal healthy individuals is normally distributed with Mean = 70 and Standard Deviation =10 beats/min

The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Exercise # 1
Then:
1) What area under the curve is above 80 beats/min?

Modified from Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.
Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Diagram of Exercise # 1
33.35%

13.6%

2.2%

0.159

0.15

-3

-2

-1

The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.
Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Exercise # 2
Then:
2) What area of the curve is above 90 beats/min?

The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Diagram of Exercise # 2
33.35%

13.6%

2.2%

0.15 0.023

-3

-2

-1

The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.
Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Exercise # 3
Then:
3) What area of the curve is between 50-90 beats/min?

The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Diagram of Exercise # 3
33.35%

13.6%

2.2% 0.954 0.15

-3

-2

-1

The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.
Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Exercise # 4
Then:
4) What area of the curve is above 100 beats/min?

The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.
Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Diagram of Exercise # 4
33.35%

13.6%

2.2%

0.15
0.015

-3

-2

-1

The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.
Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Exercise # 5

5) What area of the curve is below 40 beats per min or above 100 beats per min?

The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Diagram of Exercise # 5
33.35%

13.6%

2.2%

0.15
0.015 0.015

-3

-2

-1

The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.
Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Solution/Answers
1) 15.9% or 0.159
2) 2.3% or 0.023 3) 95.4% or 0.954
The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Solution/Answers Contd

4) 0.15 % or 0.015

5) 0.3 % or 0.015 (for each tail)

The exercises are modified from examples in Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994.

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

Application/Uses of Normal Distribution

Its application goes beyond describing distributions
It is used by researchers and modelers. The major use of normal distribution is the role it

plays in statistical inference.

The z score along with the t score, chi-square and F-

statistics is important in hypothesis testing.

It helps managers/management make decisions.

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

References/Further Reading
1) Dawson-Saunders, B & Trapp, RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd edition, 1994. 2) Last, J. A Dictionary of Epidemiology. 3rd edition,1995. 3) Wisniewski, M. Quantitative Methods For Decision Makers, 3rd edition, 2002.

4) Pidd, M. Tools For Thinking. Modelling in Management Science. 2nd edition, 2003.

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH