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 Cont’d

 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 Cont’d

 In a Standard Normal Distribution:

The mean (μ ) = 0 and

Standard deviation (σ) =1

Tripthi M. Mathew, MD, MPH

 Z Score (Standard Score)3

 Z = X-μ
σ
 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 μ 1 2 3
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

 Negative Skewness: Median ≥ Mean

 Pearson’s 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%

0.15
0.159

-3 -2 -1 μ 1 2 3
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 μ 1 2 3
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 μ 1 2 3
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 μ 1 2 3
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 μ 1 2 3
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 Cont’d

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

 It’s 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