If mean and standard deviation are heart and brain of descriptive statistics then

perhaps the normal curve is its lifeblood. In the preceding section, we discussed in
passing the z-scores, wherein the mean is always zero and the standard deviation
is fixed to 1. In this section, it is now proper to finally introduce the normal curve.
The normal curve is actually a theoretical distribution. It is a unimodal frequency
distribution curve. The scores are scattered on the X axis while the frequency of
occurrence is defined by the Y axis.
Here are some key characteristics of the normal curve.
1. Majority of the scores cluster around the middle of the distribution and fewer
scores scattered in both extreme sides or tail ends of the curve.
2. It is always symmetrical and perfectly balanced.
3. Being a theoretical distribution, the mean, median and the mode are all equal.
4. It uses standard deviation along the x-axis.
5. The normal curve is asymptotic to the abscissa and the total area under the
curve is approximating 1.0 or 100%
6. The normal curve has a mean of zero and standard deviation of 1 unit.

The Empirical Rule for a normal distribution

z Scores. The z scores are enormously beneficial in interpreting of relative

position of the raw score taking into account the centrality of the distribution and
the amount of variability. With the z-score, we can gain understanding of an
individual relative performance compared to the performance of the entire group
being measured. But before we delve deeper into the concepts of the z score, it is
imperative to learn how to use the z-score table. A copy of the z-table can be
accessed at this website address:

The table we will be using is a right tail z-table. This table is used to find the area
between z=0 and any positive value and reference the area to the right side of the
standard deviation curve. The z-score table gives only the percentage for the half
of the curve. But since the normal curve is symmetrical, a z-score that is given to
the right of the mean yields the same percentage as a z score to the left of the
mean
For example, to look up a z-score of .68 using the z-score table, look for 0.6 in the
far left of the column then look for the second decimal 0.08 in the top row. The
table value is 0.25175. It represents a percentage of 25.17 %. It is the percentage
of cases falling between the z score and the mean.
Now, let us consider some situations that might possibly occur in using the z-table
Case 1. Finding percentage of cases falling between z-score and the mean.

As example for Case 1, the z-score of +0.75 will generate a z-table value of
0.24215 or 24.215%. In the same way, the z-score of -0.75 will generate the same
value-table value of 0.24215 or 24.215%. Notice that the value is always a positive
number since percentage area is always positive.

Case 2. Finding the percentage of cases above the given z-score. It is important to
remember for this case that the total area of the normal curve is 1.0 or 100%. It is
also essential to keep in mind that the right half of the normal curve is 50% as
well as the left half (50%). You also need to consider that the z-table always
provide a percentage value in relation to the mean.

For Case 2(a), To find the area above the given z-score, the equivalent z-table
value must be determined then subtract it from the total area of the right half
which is 50%. For example, to find the percentage of cases above the z-score of
+0.75. Find the z-table value of +.75 which is 0.24215 (24.215%) then subtract it
from the total area of the right half of the normal curve which is 50%. This is 50% -
24.214% = 25.785%
For Case 2(b), in order the determine the area above the given z-score (the z-
score here is a negative number because it is situated in the left side of the
normal curve), simply find the equivalent z-table value then add 50%. Again,
always keep in mind that the z-table only provide a percentage of cases between
the z-score the mean and not the entire right side of the curve. To cite another
example, let us find the percentage of cases above the z-score of -0.75. The z-
table value of -0.75 is 0.24215. This is equivalent to 24.215%. With this number
just add the percentage area of the entire right side which is 50%. So this is
24.215% + 50% =74.215%.

Case 3. Finding the percentage of cases below the given z-score. The principle we
made in Case 2 is the same principle that can be applied in Case 3.

For case 3(a), try to determine the percentage of cases below the z-score of -0.75.
Using similar analysis made in case 2(a), the total area of the left side must be
subtracted. If your computation is correct, your answer is 25.785%.
For case 3(b), to determine the percentage of cases below the z-score of +0.75.
The z-table value will only cover the percentage of cases between the z-score and
the mean, so you need to add 50% which is the l percentage of cases of the left
side of the normal curve. Your computation must generate an answer of 74.215%.
Case 4. Finding the percentage of cases between the two z-scores.

To illustrate Case 4, let us try to determine the percentage of cases between the
two z-scores. The -0.75 Z-score and +0.75 z-score. The -0.75 z-score generates a z-
table value of 24.215%. Also +0.75 z-score generates the same z-table value of
24.215%. Thus, the percentage of cases between -0.75 and +0.75 is simply to add
the two percentage of cases and that is (24.215% + 24.215%) 48.43%.

Translating the raw score into the z-score.

We are now familiar with the z-score concepts and having a knowledge about
percentages of area above, below and between z-scores. Likewise, we are also
equipped with certain knowledge regarding the z-score formula that if the mean
and standard deviation are known, we can subtract the mean from the raw score,
divide by standard deviation, and obtain the z score.
x −x́
Z=
SD
The z-score reveals the location of the raw score from the mean in the standard
deviation units. The z score accounts both the mean of the distribution and the
amount of variability. Now, let us determine the practical use z-score in the
context of normal distribution of raw scores.

Case A. When the percentage of cases is between the raw score and the mean.
The normal distribution of physics scores has mean of 85 and a standard deviation
of 10. What percentage of scores will fall between the physics score of 95 and the
mean?
Initially, we need to convert the raw score of 95 into its equivalent z-score.
x −x́ 95−85
Z= = =1.0
SD 10
Then draw the normal curve as shown below;

Next is to look up the z-score value in the table

(https://www.calculator.net/zscore-calculator.html ). The z-table value is 0.34134
or 34.13%. That is the percentage of scores that falling between the physics score
of 95 and the mean. This means that around 1 in 3 students (34.13%) fall between
the score of 95 and the mean.

Case B. When the percentage of cases fall below a raw score.

Using the same example, on a normal distribution of scores in physics class, with a
mean of 85 and a standard deviation of 10, what percentage of physics scores fall
below a score of 95?
First, convert the raw score of 95 into its equivalent z-score.
x −x́ 95−85
Z= = =1.0
SD 10

Next is to draw the normal curve as already shown below;

Finally, look up the z-score in the z- table ( https://www.calculator.net/z-
scorecalculator.html ) take the right value. It is 0.34134 or 34.13%. Lastly, add the
50% to 34.13% to get the sum 84.13%. The percentage of physics scores fall
below a score of 95 is 84.13%. This means that if 100 students took the
examination and your score is 95. Then your physics grade surpassed the grade of
84 students.
Case C. When the percentage of cases is above a raw score. On a normal
distribution of scores in physics class, with a mean of 85 and a standard deviation
of 10, what percentage of physics scores above a score of 95?
Again, we need to convert the raw score of 95 into its equivalent z-score.
x −x́ 95−85
Z= = =1.0
SD 10

The draw the normal curve as already shown below;

We look up the z-score in the table ( https://www.calculator.net/z-
scorecalculator.html ) take the correct value. It is 0.34134 or 34.13%. Then
subtract 34.13% from 50%. The answer is 15.87%. This is the percentage of cases
above the score of 95. This means that if 100 students took the examination and
your score is 95. Then around 15 students surpassed your physics grade of 95.
Case D. When the percentage of cases is between raw scores. On a normal
distribution of physics scores, the mean is 85 and the standard deviation is 10.
Your physics score is 95 and your friends score is 80. You wanted to determine
how many students got a score between your friend’s score of 80 and your score
of 95.
Again, convert the raw score of 95 and the raw score of 80 into its equivalent z-
scores.
x −x́ 95−85 x −x́ 80−85
Z= = =1.0 Z= = =−0.5
SD 10 SD 10
The draw the normal curve as already shown below;

We look up the z-score in the table ( https://www.calculator.net/z-

scorecalculator.html ) and look for z percentage of cases for the z-value 1.0. Also
look for the percentage of cases for the z-value -0.5. The percentage of cases is
34.13% and 19.15% respectively. Add the two values to get the percentage of
cases between the raw score of 95 and 80. The answer is 53.28%. This means that
1 in 2 students got a score between 95 and 85 (i.e. between your score and your
friend’s score).
At this point, we already made a significantly long journey. From the measures of
central tendency to the measures of variability and finally to measures of relative
position. We are now in the position no longer seeking answers to questions but
seeking questions beyond the conventions established by the answers.

1. Road test of MG5 Sedan compact car show a fuel mean rating of 20 kilometers
per liter in highways, with a standard deviation of 1.5 kilometers per liter. What
percentage of these cars (MG5) will achieve results of
a. More than 25 kilometers per liter?
b. Less than 17 kilometers per liter?
c. Between 15 and 24 kilometers per liter?
d. Between 21 and 24 kilometers per liter?