Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V 11
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SORSOGON
GUBAT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

STATISTICS and PROBABILITY

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET NO.3

Student’s Name: _________________________________ Grade and Section: ________________

Date Received: _________________ Date Submitted: _________________

I. INTRODUCTORY CONCEPT:
This module was designed and written to help learners understand the concept of the
normal distribution. The scope of this activity helps learners to accurately formulate and solve
real-life problems in different disciplines involving normal distribution.
• Lesson 2 – The Standard Normal Distribution

II. LEARNING SKILLS FROM MELCs:

• The learner identifies regions under the normal curve corresponding to different standard
normal values. (M11/12SP-IIIc-3)
• The learner converts a normal random variable to a standard normal variable and vice
versa. (M11/12SP-IIIc-4)
The learner computes probabilities and percentiles using the standard normal table.
(M11/12SP-IIIc-d1)

III. ACTIVITIES:
A. Let Us Review:
Recall that continuous random variable can take any real value within a specified range
whereas a discrete random variable takes on a countable number of values. Many continuous
random variables have histograms that have bell-shaped distributions. Also, many random
variables are either normally distributed or, at least, approximately normally distributed. Heights,
weights, examination scores, the length of life of some equipment are among a few random
variables that are approximately normally distributed. Although the distributions are only
approximately normal, the approximation is usually quite close. Continuous distribution with the
left and right tails extends indefinitely but come infinitely close to the x-axis is called normal
distribution.
B. Let Us Study

The standard normal distribution (which is denoted by 𝑍), is also a normal distribution having
a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. Since the normal distribution can have different values
for its mean and standard deviation, it can be standardized by setting the μ = 0 and the = 1.
As mentioned earlier, normal variable is standardized by setting the mean to 0 and standard
deviation to 1. This is for the purpose of simplifying the process in approximating areas for normal
curves. As shown below is the formula used to manually compute the approximate area.
1 −𝑧 2
𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑒 2
√2𝜋
However, this formula is seldom used because a table was created to summarize the
approximate areas under the standard normal curve and to further simplify the process. This table
of probabilities is known as the z- table.

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The Z-Table
Let us get a closer look at the z-table (Refer to pages 5 and 6). The outermost column and
row represent the z-values. The first two digits of the z-value are found in the leftmost column and
the last digit (hundredths place) is found on the first row.

Step 2

Suppose the z-score is

equal to 1.85, locate the first two
digits 1.8 in the leftmost column
and the last digit, 0.05, at the first
row. Then find their intersection
which gives the corresponding Step 1
area of 0.9678.

C.1. Let Us Practice

Use the z-table (Refer to the attachments on page 5 and 6) to find the area that corresponds to
the following:
1. 𝑍 = 2.67 5. 𝑍 = −2.33
2. 𝑍 = 1.29
3. 𝑍 = 3
4. 𝑍 = −0.64

Now that you already know how to use the z-table to find the corresponding area for the z-
score, let us identify the regions under the normal curve that corresponds to different standard
normal values. In order to find the regions, a probability notation is used.

The probability notation 𝑃(𝑎 < 𝑍 < 𝑏) indicates that the z-value is between 𝑎 and 𝑏, 𝑃(𝑍 > 𝑎)
means z-value is above 𝑎 and 𝑃(𝑍 < 𝑎) means z-value is below 𝑎. In a continuous distribution,
the probability of any exact z value is 0 since the area would be represented by a vertical line above
the value. But vertical lines in theory have no area. So P(a ≤ z ≤ b) = P(a < z < b).

Note: The area under the standard normal distribution curve can also be thought of as a
probability or as the proportion of the population with a given characteristic.

The Z- Score
The z-score is an essential component in standard normal distribution. This allows us to
describe a given set of data by finding the z-scores. This leads us to a question of how z-scores are
identified?

Given a normal random variable X with mean (μ) and standard deviation ( ), each value of
x of the variable can be transformed into z-scores using the formula,
𝑥−𝜇
𝑧=
𝜎
where z = z-score or standard score
x = observed value
𝜇 = mean
𝜎 = standard deviation
To illustrate how the value of x can be converted in z-score, here are some examples.

STEPS IN SOLVING FOR Z-SCORE

Step 1: Write the formula.
Step 2: Substitute the given values.
Step 3: Perform the operations.
Step 4: Write the corresponding z-score.

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Example 1: A random variable 𝑋 has a mean of 6 and a standard deviation of 2. Find the
corresponding z-score for x = 11.
Given: 𝑥 = 11; 𝜇 = 6; 𝜎 = 2
Solution:
𝑥−𝜇
Step 1: 𝑧=
𝜎
11−6
Step 2 =
2
5
Step 3 =
2
Step 4 𝑧 = 2.5

Finding Areas under the Standard Normal Distribution Curve

For the solution of problems using the standard normal distribution, a two-step process is
recommended with the use of the Procedure Table shown.
The three steps are as follows:
Step 1: Draw the normal distribution curve and shade the area.
Step 2: Find the area of the z-score using the z table.
Step 3: Find the appropriate figure in the Procedure Table and follow the directions given.

To illustrate, let us consider the example:

Example 1. Compute the probability under the standard normal curve 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑧 = 1.67

Solution:
Symbolically, the 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑧 = 1.67 can be written as 𝑃(𝑍 < 1.67)

Step 1: Draw the normal distribution curve and shade the area.
Step 2: Find the area of the z-score using the z table.
𝑧 = 1.67 has a corresponding area of 0.9525
Step 3: Since you are looking for a less than area, the area in the
table is the answer, therefore the 𝑃(𝑍 < 1.67) =
0.9525 𝑜𝑟 95.25%.

Example 2. Compute the probability under the standard normal curve 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑧 = −0.6

Solution:
Symbolically, the 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑧 = −0.65 can be written as 𝑃(𝑍 > −0.65)

Step 1: Draw the normal distribution curve and shade the area.
Step 2: Find the area of the z-score using the z table.
𝑧 = −0.65 has a corresponding area of 0.2578

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Step 3: Since you are looking for the above area, the area obtained in Step 2 is subtracted from
1, therefore 𝑃(𝑍 > −0.65) = 1 − 0.2578 = 0.7422 𝑜𝑟 74.22%.
Example 3. Find the area under the standard normal curve between 𝑧 = −1.25 and 𝑧 = 2.19.
Solution:
The 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 between 𝑧 = −1.25 and 𝑧 = 2.19 can be written as 𝑃(−1.25 < 𝑍 < 2.19), read
as “the probability that Z is greater than -1.25 but less than 2.19.”
Step 1: Draw the normal distribution curve and shade the area.
Step 2: Find the area of the z-score using the z table.
𝑧 = −1.25 has a corresponding area of 0.1056
𝑧 = 2.19 has a corresponding area of 0.9857
Step 3: Since you are looking for the area between two z - scores,
simply subtract the corresponding areas to arrive at the
answer. Therefore, 0.9857 − 0.1056 = 0.8801 and the 𝑃(−1.25 < 𝑍 < 2.19) =
0.8801 𝑜𝑟 88.01%.
Example 4. The scores in the summative test of 11- STEM B are normally distributed with a mean
of 65 and a standard deviation of 12. Find the probability a student selected at random got a score
below 40.
Solution:
Step 1: Convert the normal value to z-score.
Given: 𝑥 = 40 𝜇 = 65 𝜎 = 12
𝑥−𝜇
Solution: 𝑧=
𝜎
40−65
=
12
−25
=
12
𝑧 = −2.08
Therefore, 𝑃(𝑋 < 40) = 𝑃(𝑍 < −2.08)
Step 2: Draw the normal distribution curve and shade the area.
Step 3: Find the area of the z-score using the z table.
𝑧 = −2.08 has a corresponding area of 0.0188.
Step 4: Since you are looking for a less than area, the area in the table is the answer.
P(Z < -2.08) = 0.0188 or 1.88%. Therefore, the probability that some students got a score
below 4 is 0.0188 or 1.88%.
C.2. Let Us Practice
1. The height (in meters) of grade 11 students in section A follows a normal distribution
with the mean 1.6 and a standard deviation of 0.3. Find the probability that a student
chosen at random has a height greater than 1.75.
The Percentile
A percentile is a measure used in statistics indicating the value below which a given
percentage of observations in a group of observations fall.
Imagine you took a standardized test and you scored 91 at the 89th percentile. This means
that 89% of the examiners scored lower than 91 and 11% scored higher than 91. This explains
that 89th percentile is located where 89% of the total population lies below and 11% lies above
that point. To illustrate the 89th percentile of the normal curve here are the steps:
1. Express the given percentage as probability, remember 89% is the same as 0.8900.
2. Using the z-table (Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF)
of the Standard Normal Curve), locate the area of 0.8900.
3. There is no area corresponding exactly to 0.8900. It is
between of 0.8888 with a corresponding z - score of 1.22
and 0.8907 with a corresponding z - score of 1.23. The
nearest value to 0.8900 is 0.8888 and therefore, the
distribution lies below z = 1.22.
4. Construct a normal curve and shade the region to the left of
1.22.

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 C. Let Us Remember

Now that you have learned the concept of standard normal distribution, you may proceed to the
next activity. Direction: Complete the given diagram below by filling up the necessary details about
the steps in finding the probability using the standard normal curve and finding the z-scores.

STEPS IN FINDING AREAS UNDER THE STANDARD NORMAL STEPS IN COMPUTING Z-SCORE
DISTRIBUTION CURVE

• Step 1 •
Step 1
•
Step 2 • Step 2

Step 3 •
Step 3 • Step 4 •

D. Let Us Practice More

Directions: Read the instructions given and write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
A. Complete the table by converting the given values into z-scores. Then find the
corresponding area using the z-table.

Given Z-score Approximate Area

1. 𝑥 = 28 𝜇 = 16 𝜎=5
2. 𝑥 = 68 𝜇 = 75 𝜎=5
3. 𝑥 = 1.72 𝜇 = 1.6 𝜎 = 0.2
4. 𝑥 = 24 𝜇 = 38 𝜎=8
5. 𝑥 = 50 𝜇 = 45 𝜎=6

B. Direction: Compute the following probabilities using the standard normal curve. On your
answer sheets, construct a curve then shade the region corresponding to the area.
1. 𝑃(𝑍 > −1.53) 2. 𝑃(𝑍 < 2.89) 3. 𝑃(−1.65 < 𝑍 < 2.15)

E. Evaluation
Directions: Read the instructions given and write your answers on your answer sheets.
A. Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. Which of the following denotes the standard normal distribution?
A. A B. X C. Y D. Z
2. Which of the following describes the standard normal distribution?
A. has a mean of zero (0) and a standard deviation of 1.
B. has a mean of 1 and a variance of zero (0).
C. has an area equal to 0.5.
D. cannot be used to approximate discrete probability distributions.
3. What is the formula in finding the z-score?
𝑥−𝜇 𝜇−𝜎 𝜎−𝜇 𝑥−𝜎
A. 𝑧 = B. 𝑧 = C. 𝑧 = D. 𝑧 =
𝜎 𝑥 𝑥 𝜇
4. A random variable X has a mean of 4 and a standard deviation of 2. What is the corresponding
z-score for x = 7?
A. 0.5 B. 1.0 C. 1.5 D. 2
5. What is the area if the z - score given is -1.83?
A. 0.0344 B. 0.0336 C. 0.0329 D. 0.0322
6. What is the z-value if the area is 0.9608?
A. -1.76 B. -1.77 C. 1.76 D. 1.77
7. Using the standard normal curve, what is the approximate area of 𝑃(1.63 < 𝑍 < 2.79)?

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 A. 0.0049 B. 0.0490 C. 0.9484 D. 0.9974
8. The weights (in kg) of 11-STEM B follow a normal distribution and has a mean of 50 and a
standard deviation of 5. How many students have weights greater than 57?
A. 1.4 B. 0.0808 C. 0.9192 D. 0.9332
9. What is the value of 97.5th percentile in a standard normal distribution?
A. -1.96 B. -1.97 C. 1.96 D. 1.97
10. What is the value of 67th percentile in a standard normal distribution?
A. -0.43 B. -0.44 C. 0.43 D. 0.44

B. Probability of Standard Normal Distribution

Directions: Analyze the problem below by providing a comprehensive answer from the given
question. Write the complete solution on your answer sheets.
1. The results of a nationwide aptitude test in mathematics are normally distributed with
mean = 63 and standard deviation = 5. What is the 97.5 th percentile?

2. The mean score and the standard deviation in the Statistics test are respectively equal to
80 and 2.5, whereas in the Mathematics test the mean score is 70 and the standard
deviation is 2. If Liza got a score of 85 in Statistics and a score or 75 in Mathematics in
which subject is her standing better assuming normality in both subjects?

IV. ANSWER KEY

30.85% area=0.7967
6. C 2. Liza is better at Mathematics.
1. 0.3085 or 5. z-value=0.83,
5. B B.1. 72.8
4. C 10.D Practice area=0.0401
C.2.Let Us 4. z-value=-1.75,
3. A 9. C
5. 0.0099 area=0.7257
2. A 8. B
A.1. D 7. B 4. 0.2611 3. z-value=0.6,
3. 0.9987 area=0.0808
Evaluation
2. 0.9015 2. z-value=-1.4,
1. 0.9962 area=0.9918
Practice 1. z-value=2.4,
C.1.Let Us More
Let Us Practice

V. REFERENCE

• Next Century Mathematics (Statistics and Probability) Senior High School by Jesus P.
Mercado pages 308-321
• Statistics and Probability by Rene R. Belecina et. Al. First Edition
• Commission on Higher Education. (2016). Teaching Guide for Senior High School: Statistics
and Probability Core Subject. Quezon City: CHED.
• Canlapan, Raymond B. (2016). Statistics and Probability. Diwa Learning Systems Inc.
Makati City, Philippines.

Prepared by: Reviewed by:

SYMON J FEOLINO JOAN E. HAPA

SST 1 Subject Group Head

6
Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) of the Standard Normal Curve (Negative)

7
Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) of the Standard Normal Curve (Positive)