Understanding Normal
Distribution and Standard
Normal Values
Lesson Objectives
1 2 3 4
Define a normal Explain properties Identify regions Calculate and
random variable of the normal under the normal interpret z-scores.
and its curve. curve for standard
characteristics. normal values.
Introduction to
Normal Distribution
• What is a normal distribution?
• A bell-shaped curve that is
symmetric around the mean.
• Key characteristics: mean =
median = mode.
The properties of the normal distribution are as follows:
2. The mean, median and mode
1. The distribution is bell- 3. The normal distribution is 4. The normal distribution curve
are equal and are located at the
shaped. unimodal. is symmetric about the mean.
center of the distribution.
8. The area under the part of the
normal curve that lies within 1
6. The normal distribution is standard deviation of the mean
5. The normal distribution is 7. The total area under the
asymptotic (it never touches the is about 68%; within 2 standard
continuous. curve is 1.00 or 100%.
x-axis) deviations, about 95%; and with
3 standard deviations, about
99.7%.
Motivation: Are Heights Normal?
● Do you think people's heights follow a pattern?
Frequency (Number of
Example: Height Range (cm)
People)
150-155 cm 2
Heights of Adult
155-160 cm 5
Males
Let's assume we 160-165 cm 12
measure the 165-170 cm 22
heights of 100 170-175 cm 30
men and get this 175-180 cm 18
data: 180-185 cm 7
185-190 cm 3
190-195 cm 1
• Look at a
histogram of
height data.
• Discuss how the
data resembles a
bell-shaped
curve.
Defining a Normal Random Variable
● A normal random variable is continuous and follows a normal
distribution.
● Characteristics include symmetry and the Empirical Rule (68-
95-99.7).
Example 1: • Height follows a normal distribution
with μ = 165 cm and σ = 10 cm.
Height of • What is the probability that a student
is exactly 165 cm tall?
Students
• A value of any variable that is approximately
normally distributed can be transformed into
standard normal value by using the following
formula:
Calculating
Z-Scores
•The standard normal values are called z
values or z scores
Understanding Z-Scores
Z-scores indicate how many A positive z-score means above the
standard deviations a value is from mean; negative means below.
the mean.
Identifying • Z-score helps find probabilities using
the standard normal table.
Regions • Common regions: z = 0 (50%
below), z = 1 (84.13% below), z = -1
Under the (15.87% below).
Normal Curve
Find the corresponding z value for value of 9 if the mean of a
Example: variable is 12 and the standard deviation 4.
Find the corresponding z value for value of 15 if the mean of a
variable is 12 and the standard deviation 4.
Draw the figure and determine the area under the standard
normal distribution curve of the following.
Example: Between z = 0 and z = 1.85
Draw the figure and determine the area under the standard
normal distribution curve of the following.
Example: Between z = 0 and z = -1.15
Draw the figure and determine the area under the standard
normal distribution curve of the following.
Example : Between z = -2.18 and z = -1.15
Example: • Test scores are normally distributed with μ = 75 and σ =
5.
Test Scores • What is the probability that a student scores above 80?
Finding Probabilities
• Look up P(z ≤ 1) in the standard normal table → 0.8413.
• Probability above 80: P(X > 80) = 1 - 0.8413 = 0.1587.
Guided
Practice Draw the figure and determine the area under the
standard normal distribution curve of the
following.
1. Right of z =1.15
• Work in pairs to find z-
scores for given values.
• Discuss interpretations of 2. Left of z =1.29
probabilities using the
standard normal table.
3. Between z = 0.75 and z = 1. 85
4. Between z = -1.85 and z = 1. 15
Assessment: Concept Check
What are the What does the
properties of a total area under
normal the normal curve
distribution? represent?
Problem-Solving Assessment
• Given μ = 50, σ = 8, find the z-score for x = 58.
• If the area to the left of z = -1.5 is 0.0668, what is the probability
that a value is greater than this?
Exit Ticket
Provide an
In your own words,
example of a real-
why do we use z-
life application of
scores?
normal distribution.
Summary • Recap: Normal distribution is bell-
shaped and symmetric.
and Closing • Z-scores standardize data for
comparison.
• Area under the curve represents
probabilities.
Real-Life Applications
Examples: IQ Discuss how
scores, stock normal distribution
market returns, is relevant in
height distributions. various fields.
Thank you for
listening!
