Binomial Distributions

• Normal distributions are continuous probability distributions that are

bellshaped and symmetric. Normal distributions are sometimes referred to
as a normal curves.
There are many different normal distributions, and they are distinguished
from one another by their mean m and standard deviation s. The mean m
of a normal distribution describes where the corresponding curve is
centered, and the standard deviation s describes how much the curve
spreads out around that center. As with all continuous probability
distributions, the total area under any normal curve is equal
to 1. 
• There are many different normal distributions, and they are distinguished from
one another by their mean m and standard deviation s.
• The mean m of a normal distribution describes where the corresponding curve
is centered, and the standard deviation s describes how much the curve spreads
out around that center. As with all continuous probability distributions, the total
area under any normal curve is equal to 1.
• Three normal Distributions:

.
We say the data is "normally distributed":

The Normal Distribution has:
•mean = median = mode
•symmetry about the center
•50% of values less than the mean
and 50% greater than the mean
Standard Deviation
The Standard Deviation is a measure of how spread out
numbers are.
Its symbol is σ (the greek letter sigma)
The formula is easy: it is the square root of the Variance. 
Variance
The Variance is defined as:
The average of the squared differences from the Mean.
To calculate the variance follow these steps:

•Work out the Mean (the simple average of the numbers)

•Then for each number: subtract the Mean and square the
result (the squared difference).
•Then work out the average of those squared differences. 
 You and your friends have just measured the heights of your dogs (in
millimeters):

The heights (at the shoulders) are: 600mm, 470mm, 170mm, 430mm and
300mm.
Find out the Mean, the Variance, and the Standard Deviation.
• You do This:
a. Get the mean.
b. Calculate the Dog’s difference from the mean.
c. Calculate for the variance: σ2
d. Get the Standard Deviation
 Mean = 600 + 470 + 170 + 430 + 3005
  = 19705
  = 394

Variance
σ2 = 2062 + 762 + (−224)2 + 362 + (−94)25
  = 42436 + 5776 + 50176 + 1296 + 88365
 
Standard Deviation = 1085205
σ =   √21704 = 21704
  = 147.32...
  = 147 (to the nearest mm)
 • Normal Approximation to the Binomial: n * p and n * q

The first step into using the normal approximation to the binomial is making sure you have a “large enough
sample”. How large is “large enough”? You figure this out with two calculations: n * p and n * q .
•n is your sample size,
•p is your given probability.
•q is just 1 – p.

For example, let’s say your probability p is .6. You would find q by subtracting this probability from 1: q = 1
– .6 = .4. Percentages (instead of decimals) can make this a little more understandable; if you have a 60%
chance of it raining (p) then there’s a 40% probability it won’t rain (q).
When n * p and n * q are greater than 5, you can use the normal approximation to the binomial to solve a
problem.
• Sixty two percent of 12th graders attend school in a particular urban school district. If a sample of 500 12th grade children are selected, find
the probability that at least 290 are actually enrolled in school.

• Part 1: Making the Calculations

• Step 1: Find p,q, and n:
• The probability p is given in the question as 62%, or 0.62
• To find q, subtract p from 1: 1 – 0.62 = 0.38
• The sample size n is given in the question as 500
• Step 2: Figure out if you can use the normal approximation to the binomial. If n * p and n * q are greater than 5, then you can use the
approximation:
n * p = 310 and n * q = 190.
These are both larger than 5, so you can use the normal approximation to the binomial for this question.
• Step 3: Find the mean, μ by multiplying n and p:
n * p = 310
(You actually figured that out in Step 2!).
• Step 4: Multiply step 3 by q :
310 * 0.38 = 117.8.
Step 5: Take the square root of step 4 to get the standard deviation, σ:√(117.8)=10.85

Note: The formula for the standard deviation for a binomial is √(n*p*q).
 • The normal distribution can be approximated to the Poisson distribution when λ is large, best
when λ > 20.
• The Poisson distribution tables usually given with examinations only go up to λ = 6.
• As λ increases the distribution begins to look more like a normal probability distribution.

Note that the because Poissson values are discrete and normal values are continuous a continuity correction is
necessary. 
The values of the mean and standard deviation needed for the normal distribution are μ = λ and σ = √ λ
Example
In a factory there are 45 accidents per year and the number of accidents per year follows a Poisson distribution.
Use the normal approximation to find the probability that there are more than 50 accidents in a year.

Solution
Because λ > 20 a normal approximation can be used.
Let X be the random variable of the number of accidents per year.
To find P(X > 50 ) apply a continuity correction and find P(X > 50.5)
For the normal approximation μ = λ = 45 and σ = √ λ = 6.71

The probability that there are more than 50 accidents in a year is 0.2061