The Normal Distribution

The normal distribution is 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 graphically represented by a symmetrical, bell
shaped curve known as the normal curve.

The Normal Distribution has the following properties:

1. The mean, median, and mode are equal and are located at the center
of the distribution.
2. The curve is symmetric about the mean.
3. The curve is continuous and asymptotic to the horizontal axis.
4. The total area under a normal distribution curve is equal to 1.00, or
100%.
The Standard Normal Distribution
The standard normal distribution is a normal distribution with a
mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1.

All normally distributed variables can be transformed into the

standard normally distributed variable by using the formula for the
standard score:
𝑥−𝜇 𝑥−𝑥̅
𝑧= or 𝑧=
𝜎 𝑠
Example. Find the area under the standard normal distribution curve
1. To the left of z = -0.64

2. To the left of z = 1.17

3. To the right of z = -1.59

4. To the right of z = 2.05

5. Between z = -1.25 and z = 0.81

6. Between z = -2.12 and z = -0.16

7. Between z = 1.38 and z = 2.43

Normal Distribution Curve as a Probability Distribution Curve
A normal distribution curve can be used as a probability distribution
curve for normally distributed variables. The area under the standard
normal distribution curve can be thought of as a probability.
Example. Find the probability for each.
a. P(0 < z < 2.35)

b. P(z < 1.67)

c. P(z > 1.92)

 Sometimes, one must find a specific z value for a given area under
the standard normal distribution curve. The procedure is to work
backward, using the table. Since the table is cumulative, it is necessary to
locate the cumulative area up to a given z value.
Example.
1. Find the z value to the right of the mean so that 69.85% of the area
under the distribution curve lies to the left of it.

2. Find the z value to the left of the mean so 82.12% of the area under
the distribution curve lies to the right of it.

3. Find two z values so that 48% of the middle area is bounded by

them.
Find the z-value that corresponds to the given area.
Applications of the Normal Distribution
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 110?
b. Below 80?
c. Between 82 and 105?

2. Each month, an American household generates an average of 28 pounds

of newspaper for garbage or recycling. Assume the standard deviation
is 2 pounds. If a household is selected at random, find the probability
of its generating
a. Between 27 and 31 pounds per month
b. More than 30.2 pounds per month
Assume the variable is approximately normally distributed.
3. The American Automobile Association reports that the average time it
takes to respond to an emergency call is 25 minutes. Assume the
variable is approximately normally distributed and the standard
deviation is 4.5 minutes. If 80 calls are randomly selected,
approximately how many will be responded to in less than 15 minutes?