Percentile

 For any set of measurements (arranged in

ascending or descending order), a
percentile (or a centile) is a point in the
distribution such that a given number of
cases is below it.
 A percentile is a measure of relative
standing. It is a descriptive measure of the
relationship of a measurement to the rest
of the data.
Percentile and z-scores
 A probability value corresponds to an
area under the normal curve.
 In the Table of Areas Under the Normal
Curve, the numbers in the extreme left
and across the top are z-scores, which are
the distances along the horizontal scale.
The numbers in the body of the table are
areas or probabilities.
 The z-scores to the left of the mean are
negative values.
Illustrative Example
Find the 95th percentile of a
normal curve.
Analysis
P95 means locating an area before (or
below) the point. We want to know
what the z-value is at this point.
 STEPS SOLUTION
1. Draw the appropriate
normal curve.
2. Express the given 95% is the same as 0.9500
percentage as probability.
3. Split 0.9500 into 0.5000 0.9500 = 0.5000 + 0.4500
and 0.4500.
4. Refer to the Table of This area is not found in the
Areas Under the Normal table. It is between the
Curve. Locate the area values of 0.4495 and 0.4505.
0.4500 in the body of the
table.
5. Find the z-score that Find z by interpolation, as
corresponds to 0.4500 on the follows.
leftmost column.
 STEPS SOLUTION
6. Find the z-value that 0.4505 ↔ z = 1.65
corresponds to 0.4505
7. Find the z-value that 0.4495 ↔ z = 1.64
corresponds to 0.4495.
8. Find the average of the two z = 1.645
z-values.
9. Locate z = 1.645 under the The 95th percentile is z = 1.645.
curve in Step 1 and make a
statement.
10. Draw a line through under Do this under the sketch of the
the curve in Step 1. curve in Step 1.
11. Shade the region to the left Do this under the sketch of the
of z = 1.645. curve in Step 1.
12. Describe the shaded region. The shaded region is 95% of the
distribution.
Example Find the upper 10% of the normal curve.

STEPS SOLUTION
1. Draw the appropriate normal
curve.
2. Express the given percentage as 10% is the same as 0.1000
probability.
3. With respect to the mean, locate To the right of the mean
the upper 10%.
4. Using the upper side of the mean, 0.5000 – 0.1000 = 0.4000
find the remaining area.
5. Refer to the Table of Areas Under This area is not found in the body of
the Normal Curve. Locate the the table, so we take 0.3997, which is
area 0.4000 in the body of the the closest value.
table.
6. Find the z-score that corresponds z = 1.28.
to 0.3997 on the leftmost column.
 STEPS SOLUTION
7. Locate z=1.28 under That is, the upper 10% is
the sketch of the curve above z = 1.28.
in Step 1 and make a
statement.
8. Draw a line through Do this under the sketch
under the curve in of the curve in Step 1.
Step 1.
9. Shade the region to Do this under the sketch
the left of z = 1.645. of the curve in Step 1.
10.Describe the shaded The shaded region is the
region. upper 10% of the normal
curve.
Find each of the following
percentile points under the normal
curve.

1. P99
2. P90
3. P68
4. P40
5. P32