Chapter 2: Normal Distribution

Lesson 4: Determining
Probabilities
Lesson Objectives
• Find areas between paired z-scores

• Find probabilities for the standard normal

random variable z
• Express areas under the normal curve
using probability notation
The following notations for a random variable
are used in our various solutions concerning
the normal curve. Mathematical notations are
convenient forms of lengthy expressions.
denotes the probability that the z-score is between a and b.

denotes the probability that the z-score is greater than a.

denotes the probability that the z-score is less than a.

 𝑃 ( 𝑧 = 𝑎 ) =0
With continuous probability distributions such as the
normal distribution, This means that with infinitely many
different possible values, the probability of getting any
one exact value is 0. For example z=1.22 exactly. A single
point like 1.22 would be represented graphically by a
vertical line above 1.22 but the vertical line contains no
area, so P(z=1.22)=0. With any continuous random
variable, the probability of any one exact value is 0.
Thus, it follows
Case 1.
The required area, as depicted by the
shaded regions under the curve in Fig. 2.8
and Fig. 2.9, are:
‘greater than z’
‘at least z’
‘more than z’
‘to the right of z’
‘above z’
Case 2.
The required area, as depicted by the shaded
regions under the curve in Fig. 2.10 and Fig. 2.11,
are:
‘less than z’
‘at most z’
‘no more than z’
‘not greater than z
‘to the left of z’
‘below z’
Case 3.
Models when the required area is
between
Examples:
1. Find the proportion of the area above z=-1.
2. Find the area greater than z=1.
3. Find the area to the left of z=-1.5.
4. Find the area below z=1.5.
5. Find the area between z=-2 and -1.5.
6. Find the area between z=0.98 and z=2.58.