C.

N: _________
NAME: _________________________________________ GR. & SEC: ____________________

Standard Normal Distribution

To the Learners:
Before starting the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that will disturb
you while enjoying the lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully enjoy
the objectives of this kit. Have fun!
1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of this
module.
2. Writing enhances learning. Keep this in mind and take note of the important
concepts in your notebook.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Analyze the post-test and apply what you have learned.
5. Enjoy studying!

Introduction to the topic

During the final week of the second quarter we discussed normal distribution. We
learned that a normal distribution is a type of data distribution where most of the data is
clustered around a central value which is known as the mean and is considered equal to
the median and mode. Normal distribution is a bell shaped curve and is a type of
continuous probability distribution where the center represents the mean value and data
are equally distributed below and above that value. Let’s take a look at this bell curve
and recall its characteristics.

Here are some of the unique characteristics of a normal distribution

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 1. The distribution is bell-shaped
2. The mean, median, and mode are
equal and are located at the center of the
distribution
3. The Normal distribution is unimodal
4. The normal distribution curve is
symmetric about the mean
5. The normal distribution is
continuous
6. The normal curve is asymptotic
7. The total area of the normal
distribution curve is 1.00 or 100%
8. The area under the part of a normal
curve that lies within 1 standard deviation of the mean is 68%; within 2 standard
deviations, about 95% and with 3 standard deviations, about 99.7%.

Now that we are done recalling the characteristics of a normal distribution, let's
proceed to our new lesson which is about identifying and comparing a standard and
non-standard normal distribution in terms of their properties and characteristics.

Standard Normal distribution

The standard normal distribution, also called the z-distribution, is a special
normal distribution where the mean is 0 and the standard deviation is 1. Any normal
distribution can be standardized by converting its values into z-scores. Z-scores tell you
how many standard deviations from the mean each value lies.
Like the standard normal distribution, all normal distributions are unimodal and
symmetrically distributed with a bell-shaped curve. However, a normal distribution can
take on any value as its mean and standard deviation. The mean and standard deviation
are always fixed in the standard normal distribution. Take a look at these graphs of
normal distribution.

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 Curve Position or shape relative to the standard
normal distribution

A (M = 0, SD = 1) Standard normal distribution

B (M = 0, SD = 0.5) Squeezed, because SD < 1

C (M = 0, SD = 2) Stretched, because SD > 1

D (M = 1, SD = 1) Shifted right, because M > 0

E (M = –1, SD = 1) Shifted left, because M < 0

As we can see in those graphs, every normal distribution is a version of the

standard normal distribution that’s been stretched or squeezed and moved horizontally
right or left.
The mean determines where the curve is centered. Increasing the mean moves the
curve right, while decreasing it moves the curve left.
The standard deviation stretches or squeezes the curve. A small standard deviation
results in a narrow curve, while a large standard deviation leads to a wide curve.
Standardizing a normal distribution
When we standardize a normal distribution, the mean becomes 0 and the
standard deviation becomes 1. This allows us to easily calculate the probability of certain
values occurring in the distribution (using a z-score table that we will discuss in the next
module). Standardizing a normal distribution also allows us to compare data sets with
different means and standard deviations.

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 While in non-standard normal distribution the x-axis is labeled with data points,
in a standard normal distribution it is labeled with the corresponding z scores. A z-score
is also known as a standard score tells us how many standard deviations away from the
mean an individual value lies. Here are the properties or characteristics of z-scores
● A positive z score means that your data point (x) is greater than the mean
● A negative z score means that your data point (x) is less than the mean
● A z-score of zero means that your data point (x) is the mean of the data set

The value of the z score will allow us to easily calculate the probability of a score
occurring within the normal distribution and will enable us to compare 2 scores that are
from different normal distributions.e
Any normal distribution regardless of its mean value or standard deviation can be
converted into a standard normal distribution. To do that we have to learn how to
calculate the equivalent z scores of each raw score or data point. These are the simple
steps in calculating z scores
1. Subtract the mean from the individual value
2. Divide the difference by the standard deviation
These steps can be represented by the equation 𝑧 =
𝑥−μ
σ

Where X is the raw score

Z is the equivalent z score of the data point or raw score x
µ is the mean value of the data set
σ is the standard deviation

Example
Suppose that we gathered data from last year’s final chemistry exam and found
out that it followed a normal distribution with a mean value of 60 and a standard
deviation of 10. Draw the normal curve and the standard normal curve of the data set
then calculate the corresponding z-scores of the following raw scores.
a. 35 b. 50 c. 60 d. 90 e. 95

Non-standard normal curve Standard normal curve

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To calculate the corresponding z scores of the given raw scores we use the formula
𝑥−μ
𝑧 = σ

Then substitute the given values. µ = 60, σ = 10

a. X = 35, 𝑧 =
𝑥−μ
σ
= 35 − 60
10
= -2.5
Interpretation: The raw score of 35 is 2.5 standard deviations below the mean value
b. X = 50, 𝑧 =
𝑥−μ
σ
= 50 − 60
10
= -1
Interpretation: 50 is exactly 1 standard deviation below the mean value
c. X = 60, 𝑧 =
𝑥−μ
σ
= 60 − 60
10
=0
Interpretation: The z score of mean value is 0
d. X = 90, 𝑧 =
𝑥−μ
σ
= 90 − 60
10
=3
Interpretation: 90 is exactly 3 standard deviations above the mean value
e. X = 95, 𝑧 =
𝑥−μ
σ
= 95 − 60
10
= 3.5
Interpretation: 95 is 3.5 standard deviations above the mean value

Standardizing normal distribution helps us in comparing two or more data sets

that have different values of mean and standard deviation. Let’s consider this particular
example; you and your friend went to different universities. One day, you both got your
midterm grades for your statistics class. Your professor sticks to the normal grading
scale (out of 100) then you get 84. The test has a mean of 77 and a standard deviation of
6. Your friend’s professor though uses his own grading scale so she got a grade of 455.
Her test has a scale of 750 with a mean of 450 and a standard deviation of 100. Who did
better in the exam? We know that you both got a score above average but if we consider
the different factors of the exam, it will be inaccurate to compare the results with just
the data points.
Converting them to percentages shows that you came out ahead, with an 84%
compared to your friend’s 60%.
Similarly, you can convert the scores to z-scores, which show how you each
performed in comparison to your classmates. This shows that you got a 1.17, meaning
that you scored more than one standard deviation above average; while your friend got
0.05, meaning that she only scored a 0.05 standard deviation above average.
When we standardize our data it gives more meaning not only to the data point
but also to the overall data set giving us a clearer perspective and deeper meaning as we
make a comparison on different data sets.

Problems involving z scores

Example 1
Nutritionists measured the sugar content (in grams) of 32 drinks at James’ coffee
shop. The drinks had a mean of 15g, a standard deviation of 3g, and the distribution

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was roughly symmetric. Calculate the z-score of a Mocha Cappuccino at James’ that
contains 14g of sugar.
Solution
Use the formula for z score and substitute the given values
Formula for standard score 𝑧 =
𝑥−μ
σ
, x = 14g, µ = 15g, σ = 3g
14 − 15
𝑧 = 3

𝑧 = − 0. 3333

Interpretation
The sugar content of Mocha Cappuccino in James’ coffee shop is 0.3333 standard
deviations below the mean sugar content of 32 drinks.

Example 2
The scores on a Mathematics final exam have a mean of 85 and a standard
deviation of 4. Arvin scored 89 on that exam. If the exam scores are normally distributed
what is the equivalent z score of Arvin’s raw score?
Solution
Use the formula 𝑧 =
𝑥−μ
σ
then identify and substitute the given values
Arvin’s raw score X = 89
Mean score µ = 85
Standard deviation σ = 4
89 − 85
𝑧 = 4

𝑧 = 1

Interpretation
Arvin’s score is exactly 1 standard deviation above the mean value

Example 3
Drinks at Ben's Beans coffee shop have a mean sugar content of 20 g, with a
standard deviation of 6g. The sugar content in a Grande Cappuccino at Ben's Beans has
a z-score of -0.75 compared to the rest of the drinks at that shop. How much sugar is in
Grande Cappuccino at Ben’s Beans?
Solution
Use the formula 𝑧 =
𝑥−μ
σ
then identify and substitute the given values
Z score = -0.75
Mean value µ = 20g
Standard deviation σ = 6g
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This time we have to find the value of sugar content in Grande Cappuccino instead of its
z score.
𝑥 − 20
− 0. 75 = 6

Solving for the value of x

− 0. 75 ✕ 6 = 𝑥 − 20

𝑥 = (− 0. 75 ✕ 6 ) + 20

𝑥 = 15. 5𝑔

Interpretation
The Grande cappuccino in Ben's Beans coffee shop has a 15 g sugar content
which is 0.75 standard deviations below the mean value of 20 g.

To deepen your understanding of our topic, try answering the following activities

Activities

Activity 1
Identify if the statement is true or false
1. The standard normal distribution is also known as the normal curve
2. The total area under the normal curve is 100%
3. The curve of the normal distribution extends indefinitely at the tails
4. The larger the standard deviation, the taller the curve will be
5. A negative z score means the point value is above the mean value
6. A positive z score means the point value is below the mean value
7. The corresponding z score of the mean value is zero
8. Z score is a measure of how many standard deviations from the mean value a
point value lies.

Activity 2
Solve for the equivalent z scores of the following raw scores from a given normal
distribution. Show your solution
1. The height of students from a science high school is normally distributed with a
mean value μ = 156 cm and a standard deviation σ = 6 cm. Find the z score of the
following height
a. 145 cm
b. 150 cm
c. 160 cm
d. 165 cm
e. 156 cm
2. The average weight of newborn babies is 7.5 lbs. with a standard deviation of 0.8
lbs. determine the z score of the following raw scores

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 a. 8.3 lbs
b. 9 lbs
c. 7.5 lbs
d. 7 lbs
e. 5.9 lbs

Activity 3
Solve the following problems involving standard scores. Write the interpretation
1. Scores on a history test have an average of 80 with a standard deviation of 6. What
is the z-score for a student who earned a 75 on the test?
2. Books in the library are found to have an average length of 350 pages with a standard
deviation of 100 pages. What is the z-score corresponding to a book of length 80
pages?
3. Drinks from a coffee shop have a mean sugar content of 18g with a standard
deviation of 6g. The sugar content of a certain drink has a z score of -0.85. How
much sugar does it contain?
4. The average weight of an adult Filipino is 52 kg. If the z score of a 55 kg Filipino is
0.38, what is the standard deviation?
5. The average normal body temperature is 98.6 ℉ with a standard deviation of 0.4 ℉.
What is the temperature of a person with a z score of 1.5?

References
Bhandari, P. (2020, November 09). The Standard Normal Distribution: Examples, Explanations,
Uses. Retrieved from https://www.scribbr.com/statistics/standard-normal-distribution/

Z-scores-problem (article) | Z-scores. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/ap-statistics/density-curves-normal-distribution-ap/measuring-po
sition/a/z-scores-problem

Poitrast, G. (n.d.). Z-Scores. Retrieved from

https://granite.pressbooks.pub/math502/chapter/z-scores/

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