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Distributions
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Probabilities and Normal Curves
To demonstrate the process of converting to a standard
normal curve to find probabilities, let’s consider IQ scores.
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Probabilities and Normal Curves
P(100 < x < 115) is represented by the shaded area
in the figure below. The variable x must be standardized
using formula (6.3).
(6.3)
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Probabilities and Normal Curves
Therefore,
P (100 < x < 115) = P (0.00 < z < 0.94) = 0.3264.
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Probabilities and Normal Curves
Thus, the probability is 0.3264 (found by using Table 3 in
Appendix B) that a person picked at random has an IQ
between 100 and 115.
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Probabilities and Normal Curves
Let’s continue to use the example of IQ scores and try to
find the probability that a person selected at random will
have an IQ greater than 90.
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Probabilities and Normal Curves
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Using the Normal Curve and z
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Using the Normal Curve and z
The normal table, Table 3, can be used to answer many
kinds of questions that involve a normal distribution.
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Using the Normal Curve and z
From past experience, she is able to estimate that the
mean and standard deviation on this exam will be 72 and
13, respectively.
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Using the Normal Curve and z
Start by converting the 10% to information that is
compatible with Table 3 by subtracting:
10% = 0.1000;
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Using the Normal Curve and z
Now find the x value that corresponds to z = 1.28 by
using formula (6.3):
x – 72 = (13)(1.28)
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Using the Normal Curve and z
Determine Percentiles
Just as you can use the normal curve and z to find data
values, you can also use them to find percentiles.
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Using the Normal Curve and z
P (z < P33) = 0.3300
33rd percentile is at z = – 0.44
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Using the Normal Curve and z
x – 100 = (16)(– 0.44)
x = 100 – 7.04 = 92.96
That is, when given related information, you can find the
standard deviation, .
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Using the Normal Curve and z
To illustrate how this can be done, let’s look at the incomes
of junior executives in a large corporation, which are
approximately normally distributed.
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Using the Normal Curve and z
Using formula (6.3), we can find the value of :
= 3,828.125 = $3,828
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