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Normal Probability Plots

Normal probability plots graph standardized normal cumulative probabilities against data values to assess whether a data set follows a normal distribution. The points should fall approximately along a straight line for the distribution to be considered normal. An example shows effective battery life times graphed in a normal probability plot, with the points forming a straight line indicating the data is normally distributed. Variations from a straight line can reveal non-normal distributions that are light-tailed, heavy-tailed, or right-skewed.

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Abel J. Urbán Ríos
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573 views

Normal Probability Plots

Normal probability plots graph standardized normal cumulative probabilities against data values to assess whether a data set follows a normal distribution. The points should fall approximately along a straight line for the distribution to be considered normal. An example shows effective battery life times graphed in a normal probability plot, with the points forming a straight line indicating the data is normally distributed. Variations from a straight line can reveal non-normal distributions that are light-tailed, heavy-tailed, or right-skewed.

Uploaded by

Abel J. Urbán Ríos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Normal Probability Plots

Example of a normal probability plot graph paper (www.weibull.com)


Using cumulative probability areas for standardized normal distribution and plotting in the normal
probability plot paper, we confirm normal distribution of values.
Z Cummulative probability Cummulative %
Cummulative % vs. Z values
-3.0 0.00135 0.135
120
-2.5 0.00621 0.621
-2.0 0.02275 2.275 100
-1.5 0.066807 6.6807
80
-1.0 0.137857 13.7857
-0.5 0.308538 30.8538 60
0.0 0.5 50
40
0.5 0.691462 69.1462
1.0 0.841345 84.1345 20
1.5 0.933193 93.3193
0
2.0 0.97725 97.725 -4.0 -2.0 0.0 2.0 4.0
2.5 0.99379 99.379
Cumulative %
3.0 0.99865 99.865
Example 6.7 of normal probability plot using battery life service time (minutes):

Effective service life of batteries, minutes


176
191
214
220
205
192
201
190
183
185

Similar to textbook’s Figure 6-19. Normal probability plot generated by Minitab:

Battery life data is approximately normally distributed.


Probability Plot Variations

Figure 6-21 Normal probability plots indicating a non-normal distribution.


(a) Light tailed distribution
(b) Heavy tailed distribution
(c) Right skewed distribution

Material in this page obtained from Chapter 6 of Montgomery, Douglas C. and George C. Runger,
Applied Statistics and Probability for Engineers, 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey, 2007.

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