Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Probability Distributions
Dr. E. Mujuni & Mr. W. Sanga
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Introduction to Probability
Distributions
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

What is Probability Distributions?

Probability distributions are mathematical functions that
describe the likelihood of different outcomes in an
experiment or process.
They provide a way to model uncertainty and quantify the
likelihood of various events or results.
Remark
Basically, probability distributions help us understand the
possible values a random variable can take, and the
probabilities associated with those values, which is essential for
making informed decisions in fields ranging from business to
science.
To fully understand probability distributions, we first need to explore
random variables. Random variables serve as the building blocks for
probability distributions, linking mathematical models to real-world
scenarios by assigning numerical values to outcomes.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

What is a Random Variable?

A random variable is a numerical value assigned to the

outcomes of a random experiment.
It helps quantify the randomness in experiments.
Examples:
Tossing a coin: Assign 0 for heads and 1 for tails.
Rolling a die: Numbers on the die (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
A random variable can be:
Discrete: Takes specific values.
Continuous: Takes any value within a range.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Discrete Probability Distribution

Deals with random variables that take on a countable

number of values.
Examples:
Tossing a coin: Heads (H) or Tails (T)
Rolling a die: Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Key property: ∑
P(X = xi ) = 1
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Continuous Probability Distribution

Deals with random variables that can take on any value

within a range or interval.
Examples:
Heights of students in a class.
Time taken to complete a task.
Key property: ∫ ∞
f(x) dx = 1
−∞

where f(x) is the probability density function.

Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Key Differences: Discrete vs. Continuous

Discrete Continuous
Random Countable values Any value in a range
Variable
Example Number
∑ of heads Height
∫ of students
Sum/ In- P(X = xi ) = 1 f(x)dx = 1
tegral
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Examples of Probability Distributions

Binomial Distribution:
Used in experiments with two possible outcomes
(success/failure).
Example: Estimating the probability of success in
germinating seeds. For instance, if the probability of a
single seed germinating is 0.7, what is the probability that
exactly 8 out of 10 seeds germinate?
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Normal Distribution:
Models natural phenomena like heights, weights, and
measurement errors.
Example: Assume the average systolic blood pressure is
120 mmHg with a standard deviation of 10 mmHg. What
is the probability that a randomly selected individual has a
blood pressure between 110 mmHg and 130 mmHg?
Assume a normal distribution.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Other Examples:
Poisson (event occurrence): Counting the number of
mutations in a DNA strand within a fixed length.
Uniform (equal probabilities): Measuring the pH levels in a
uniformly mixed solution.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Binomial Distribution
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Binomial experiment

Binomial experiment is a probability experiment such that the

outcomes are usually classified as successes or failures.
It satisfies the following four requirements:
1 There must be a fixed number of trials.
2 Each trial can have only two outcomes or outcomes that
can be reduced to two outcomes. These outcomes can be
considered as either success or failure.
3 The outcomes of each trial must be independent of one
another.
4 The probability of a success must remain the same for
each trial.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
1 When a coin is tossed, it can land heads or tails.
2 When a baby is born, it will be either male or female.
3 In a basketball game, a team either wins or loses.
4 A true/false item can be answered in only two ways, true
or false
Other situations can be reduced to two outcomes.
For example, a medical treatment can be classified as
effective or ineffective, depending on the results.
A person can be classified as having normal or abnormal
blood pressure, depending on the measure of the blood
pressure gauge
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Binomial Distribution
A binomial distribution is the discrete probability
distribution that gives only two possible results in an
experiment (binomial experiment) either Success or Failure.

Applications of Binomial Distribution

Binomial distributions are applied in situations such as:
Testing the efficacy of a new drug (e.g., success =
recovery, failure = no recovery).
Determining the probability of a genetic trait being passed
to offspring (e.g., success = inherited, failure = not
inherited).
Quality control in manufacturing (e.g., success =
defect-free product, failure = defective product).
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Binomial Distribution
A binomial distribution is the discrete probability
distribution that gives only two possible results in an
experiment (binomial experiment) either Success or Failure.

Applications of Binomial Distribution

Binomial distributions are applied in situations such as:
Testing the efficacy of a new drug (e.g., success =
recovery, failure = no recovery).
Determining the probability of a genetic trait being passed
to offspring (e.g., success = inherited, failure = not
inherited).
Quality control in manufacturing (e.g., success =
defect-free product, failure = defective product).
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Notation for the Binomial Distribution

P(S) : The symbol for the probability of success

P(F) : The symbol for the probability of failure
p: The numerical probability of a success
q: The numerical probability of a failure

If P(S) = p, then P(F) = 1 − p = q

We use:
n for the number of trials.
X for the number of successes in n trials.
Note that 0 ≤ X ≤ n. That is, X = 0, 1, 2, 3, ..., n.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Notation for the Binomial Distribution

P(S) : The symbol for the probability of success

P(F) : The symbol for the probability of failure
p: The numerical probability of a success
q: The numerical probability of a failure

If P(S) = p, then P(F) = 1 − p = q

We use:
n for the number of trials.
X for the number of successes in n trials.
Note that 0 ≤ X ≤ n. That is, X = 0, 1, 2, 3, ..., n.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Notation for the Binomial Distribution

P(S) : The symbol for the probability of success

P(F) : The symbol for the probability of failure
p: The numerical probability of a success
q: The numerical probability of a failure

If P(S) = p, then P(F) = 1 − p = q

We use:
n for the number of trials.
X for the number of successes in n trials.
Note that 0 ≤ X ≤ n. That is, X = 0, 1, 2, 3, ..., n.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Binomial Distribution Formula

In a binomial experiment, the probability of exactly X

successes in n trials is
n!
P(X) = · pX · qn−X .
(n − X)!X!
( )
n!
Here, (n−X)!X! = Xn is the binomial coefficient.
If we regard n and p as constant, then the above function

P(X) = b(X; n, p)
is a discrete probability distribution:

X 0 ( )1 (n) 2n−2 2 . . . n
n n n−1
P(X) q 1
q p 2 q p ... pn
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

P(X) is called the binomial distribution or Bernoulli

distribution since for X = 0, 1, 2, . . . , n, it corresponds to the
successive terms of the binomial expansion:
( ) ( )
n n n n−1 n n−2 2
(q + p) = q + q p+ q p + · · · + pn .
1 2

Example
A study found that one out of ten households in Mwenge uses
solar energy as their primary source of electricity. If 12
households are selected at random, find the probability that
exactly 4 of them use solar energy.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

P(X) is called the binomial distribution or Bernoulli

distribution since for X = 0, 1, 2, . . . , n, it corresponds to the
successive terms of the binomial expansion:
( ) ( )
n n n n−1 n n−2 2
(q + p) = q + q p+ q p + · · · + pn .
1 2

Example
A study found that one out of ten households in Mwenge uses
solar energy as their primary source of electricity. If 12
households are selected at random, find the probability that
exactly 4 of them use solar energy.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution
1 9
= p; P(F) = 1 − P(S) =
P(S) =
10 10
1 9
In this case, n = 12, X = 4, p = 10 , and q = 10 . Hence,
( ) 4 ( )8
12! 1 9
P(4) = · ·
(12 − 4)! 4! 10 10
Performing the calculations, we find:
P(4) = 0.068

The probability that exactly 4 households use solar energy

is approximately 0.068.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
A survey conducted in Ifakara shows that 40% of farmers grow
maize as their primary crop. If 8 farmers are selected at
random, find the probability that at least 5 of them grow
maize.

Solution
P(S) = 0.4 = p; P(F) = 1 − P(S) = 0.6
In this case, n = 8, and we need the probability that at
least 5 farmers grow maize. This is equivalent to:
P(at least 5) = P(5) + P(6) + P(7) + P(8)
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
A survey conducted in Ifakara shows that 40% of farmers grow
maize as their primary crop. If 8 farmers are selected at
random, find the probability that at least 5 of them grow
maize.

Solution
P(S) = 0.4 = p; P(F) = 1 − P(S) = 0.6
In this case, n = 8, and we need the probability that at
least 5 farmers grow maize. This is equivalent to:
P(at least 5) = P(5) + P(6) + P(7) + P(8)
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution, cont...
We calculate each term:
( ) ( )
8 8
P(5) = 5 3
· (0.4) · (0.6) , P(6) = · (0.4)6 · (0.6)2 ,
5 6
( ) ( )
8 8
P(7) = 7 1
· (0.4) · (0.6) , P(8) = · (0.4)8
7 8
Substitute the values:
P(5) = 56 · (0.4)5 · (0.6)3 , P(6) = 28 · (0.4)6 · (0.6)2 ,

P(7) = 8 · (0.4)7 · (0.6)1 , P(8) = 1 · (0.4)8

Performing the calculations, we find:
P(at least 5) ≈ 0.054 + 0.015 + 0.003 + 0.0003 = 0.0723

The probability that at least 5 farmers grow maize is

approximately 0.072.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution, cont...
We calculate each term:
( ) ( )
8 8
P(5) = 5 3
· (0.4) · (0.6) , P(6) = · (0.4)6 · (0.6)2 ,
5 6
( ) ( )
8 8
P(7) = 7 1
· (0.4) · (0.6) , P(8) = · (0.4)8
7 8
Substitute the values:
P(5) = 56 · (0.4)5 · (0.6)3 , P(6) = 28 · (0.4)6 · (0.6)2 ,

P(7) = 8 · (0.4)7 · (0.6)1 , P(8) = 1 · (0.4)8

Performing the calculations, we find:
P(at least 5) ≈ 0.054 + 0.015 + 0.003 + 0.0003 = 0.0723

The probability that at least 5 farmers grow maize is

approximately 0.072.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Mean, Variance, and Standard Deviation for the Binomial

Distribution

The mean, variance, and standard deviation of a variable that

has the binomial distribution can be found using the following
formulas:
Mean: µ = n · p
Variance: σ 2 = n · p · q
√
Standard Deviation: σ = n · p · q
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
A coin is tossed 4 times. Find the mean, variance, and
standard deviation of the number of heads that will be
obtained.

Solution, cont...
Using the formulas for the binomial distribution with
n = 4, p = 12 , and q = 12 , we get:
Mean: µ = n · p = 4 · 1
2
=2
Variance: σ = n · p · q = 4 · 12 · 12 = 1
2
√
Standard Deviation: σ = 1 = 1
From the above example, when four coins are tossed many
times, the average number of heads obtained is 2, and the
standard deviation of the number of heads is 1. These are
theoretical values.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
A coin is tossed 4 times. Find the mean, variance, and
standard deviation of the number of heads that will be
obtained.

Solution, cont...
Using the formulas for the binomial distribution with
n = 4, p = 12 , and q = 12 , we get:
Mean: µ = n · p = 4 · 1
2
=2
Variance: σ = n · p · q = 4 · 12 · 12 = 1
2
√
Standard Deviation: σ = 1 = 1
From the above example, when four coins are tossed many
times, the average number of heads obtained is 2, and the
standard deviation of the number of heads is 1. These are
theoretical values.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
A coin is tossed 4 times. Find the mean, variance, and
standard deviation of the number of heads that will be
obtained.

Solution, cont...
Using the formulas for the binomial distribution with
n = 4, p = 12 , and q = 12 , we get:
Mean: µ = n · p = 4 · 1
2
=2
Variance: σ = n · p · q = 4 · 12 · 12 = 1
2
√
Standard Deviation: σ = 1 = 1
From the above example, when four coins are tossed many
times, the average number of heads obtained is 2, and the
standard deviation of the number of heads is 1. These are
theoretical values.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Formulas for Expected Value of the Binomial Distribution

For the binomial distribution, the formulas for the mean,

variance, and standard deviation using expected value are:
∑
Mean: µ = E(X) = X · P(X)
∑ 2
Variance: σ =2
X · P(X) − µ2
√∑
Standard Deviation: σ = X2 · P(X) − µ2

Example
A coin is tossed 4 times. Find the mean, variance, and
standard deviation of the number of heads that will be
obtained using the formulas for expected value.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Formulas for Expected Value of the Binomial Distribution

For the binomial distribution, the formulas for the mean,

variance, and standard deviation using expected value are:
∑
Mean: µ = E(X) = X · P(X)
∑ 2
Variance: σ =2
X · P(X) − µ2
√∑
Standard Deviation: σ = X2 · P(X) − µ2

Example
A coin is tossed 4 times. Find the mean, variance, and
standard deviation of the number of heads that will be
obtained using the formulas for expected value.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution
The distribution is as follows:
No. of heads X 0 1 2 3 4
1 4 6 4 1
Probability P(X) 16 16 16 16 16

Mean: ∑ 1 4 6 4 1
µ = E(X) = X · P(X) = 0 · 16 +1· 16 +2· 16 +3· 16 +4· 16 =2

Variance:
∑ 2 1 4 6 4 1
σ2 = X · P(X) − µ2 = 02 · 16 + 12 · 16 + 22 · 16 + 32 · 16 + 42 · 16 =1

√
Standard Deviation: σ = 1=1
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Normal Distribution
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

A Normal Distribution is defined as the probability density

function of any continuous random variable for any given
system, also known as the Gaussian distribution.
Mathematical Equation
The mathematical equation for a normal distribution
(probability density function) is:
(x−µ)2
e− 2σ2
f(x) = √
σ 2π
Such a normal distribution is denoted by N(µ, σ), where:
f(x): probability density function of a normal distribution
e ≈ 2.718: base of the natural logarithm
π ≈ 3.14: mathematical constant
µ: population mean
σ: population standard deviation
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
Find the probability density function of the normal distribution
of the following data: x = 2, µ = 3, and σ = 4.

Solution
Given:
Variable (x) = 2
Mean (µ) = 3
Standard Deviation (σ) = 4
Using the formula for the probability density of a normal
distribution:
(x−µ)2
e− 2σ2
N(µ, σ) = √
σ 2π
Substituting the values N(3, 4) = 0.09666703.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
If the value of the random variable is x = 4, the mean is
µ = 4, and the standard deviation is σ = 3, then find the
probability density function of the Gaussian distribution.

Solution
Given:
Variable (x) = 4
Mean (µ) = 4
Standard Deviation (σ) = 3
Therefore, N(4, 3) = 0.13301
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Remarks
A normal distribution or curve, also known as a bell curve, is
a graphical representation of a probability distribution. The
shape and position of a normal distribution curve depend on
two parameters: the mean and the standard deviation. On
the curve, the three measures of central tendency are all
located at the peak of the curve: Mean, Median, and Mode.

Notes:
The normal distribution has a positive standard deviation.
The mean helps to determine the line of symmetry of a
graph, whereas
The standard deviation helps to know how far the data are
spread out.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Remarks
If the standard deviation is smaller, the data are somewhat
close to each other, and the graph becomes narrower. If the
standard deviation is larger, the data are dispersed more, and
the graph becomes wider.

The standard deviations are used to subdivide the area under

the normal curve as shown in the following figure.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Figure: Areas under a Normal Distribution Curve

Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Using standard deviation, the Empirical Rule states that:

Approximately 68% of the data falls within one standard
deviation of the mean. (i.e., Between Mean - one
Standard Deviation and Mean + one standard deviation)
Approximately 95% of the data falls within two standard
deviations of the mean. (i.e., Between Mean - two
Standard Deviations and Mean + two standard deviations)
Approximately 99.7% of the data falls within three
standard deviations of the mean. (i.e., Between Mean -
three Standard Deviations and Mean + three standard
deviations)
Thus, the empirical rule is also called the 68 – 95 – 99.7 rule.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Standard Normal Distribution

The standard normal distribution is a normal distribution with

a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. The formula for the
standard normal distribution, or the density function for Z, is
2
e−z /2
φ(z) = √
2π
Where,
X−µ
z=
σ
is the standard score (z-score), where X is the value, µ is the
mean, and σ is the standard deviation.
The z-value represents the number of standard deviations that
a particular X-value is away from the mean. Under the
standard normal curve, the z-value ranges from -3.49 to 3.49.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Figure: Standard Normal Distribution

11/22/24, 9:18 AM Z-Score Table | Formula, Distribution Table, Chart & Example

https://byjus.com/maths/z-score-table/ 3/11
11/22/24, 9:18 AM Z-Score Table | Formula, Distribution Table, Chart & Example

https://byjus.com/maths/z-score-table/ 4/11
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Finding Areas under the Standard Normal Distribution

Curve

For solving problems using the standard normal distribution, a

step-by-step procedure is recommended, along with the use of
the Procedure Table shown below.

Step 1: Draw the normal distribution curve and shade the

area.

Step 2: Find the appropriate figure in the Procedure

Table and follow the directions given.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
Find the area to the left of z = 1.99.

Solution
Step 1: Draw the figure. The desired area is shown.

Figure: Standard Normal Distribution

Step 2: We are looking for the area under the standard normal
distribution curve to the left of z = 1.99. Since this is
an example of the first case, look up the area in the
table. It is 0.9767. Hence, 97.67% of the area is less
than z = 1.99.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
Find the area to the right of z = −1.16.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution
Step 1: Draw the figure. The desired area is shown in
Figure

Figure: Standard Normal Distribution

Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution, cont...
Step 2: We are looking for the area to the right of
z = −1.16. This is an example of the second
case. Look up the area for z = −1.16. It is
0.3770. Subtract it from 1.000. 1.000 - 0.3770
= 0.6230. Hence, 62.30% of the area under the
standard normal distribution curve is to the
right of z = −1.16.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
Find the area between z = +1.68 and z = −1.37.

Solution
Step 1: Draw the figure as shown. The desired area is shown in
Figure

Step 2: Since the area desired is between two given z values,

look up the areas corresponding to the two z values and
subtract the smaller area from the larger area. (Do not
subtract the z values.) The area for z = +1.68 is 0.9535,
and the area for z = −1.37 is 0.0853. The area between
the two z values is 0.9535 − 0.0853 = 0.8682 o 86.82%.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
Find the probability for each.
a. P(0 < z < 2.32)
b. P(z < 1.65)
c. P(z > 1.91)
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution of (a)
P(0 < z < 2.32) means to find the area under the standard
normal distribution curve between 0 and 2.32. First, look
up the area corresponding to z = 2.32. It is 0.9898. Then,
look up the area corresponding to z = 0. It is 0.5000.
Subtract the two areas:
0.9898 − 0.5000 = 0.4898.

Hence, the probability is 0.4898, or 48.98%. This is shown

in Figure.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution, cont...
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution of (b)
P(z < 1.65) is represented in Figure below. Look up the
area corresponding to z = 1.65 in the Table. It is 0.9505.
Hence,

P(z < 1.65) = 0.9505, or 95.05%.

Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution of (c)
P(z > 1.91) is shown in the Figure. Look up the area
corresponding to z = 1.91. It is 0.9719. Then subtract this
area from 1.0000:

P(z < 1.91) = 1.0000 − 0.9719 = 0.0281, or 2.81%.

Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
Find the z value such that the area under the standard normal
distribution curve between 0 and the z value is 0.2123.

Solution
Draw the figure. The area is shown in Figure below.

In this case, it is necessary to add 0.5000 to the given area of 0.2123

to get the cumulative area of 0.7123. Look up the area in the table.
The value in the left column is 0.5, and the top value is 0.06, so the
positive z-value for the area is z = 0.56.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution, cont...
Next, find the area in the table, as shown in Figure below.
Then, read the correct z-value in the left column as 0.5 and
in the top row as 0.06, and add these two values to get
z = 0.56.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Figure: The Standard Normal Distribution (Z-tables)

Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
A survey by the National Retail Federation found that women
spend on average $146.21 for the Christmas holidays. Assume
the standard deviation is $29.44. Find the percentage of
women who spend less than $160.00. Assume the variable is
normally distributed.

Solution
Step 1: Draw the figure and represent the area as
shown in Figure below.

Step 2: Find the z-value corresponding to $160.00.

Value−Mean
z = Standard Deviation
= X−µ
σ
= $160.00−$146.21
$29.44
=
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution, cont...
Hence, $160.00 is 0.47 of a standard deviation
above the mean of $146.21, as shown in the
z-distribution in Figure below.

Step 3: Find the area, using the Table of z. The area

under the curve to the left of z = 0.47 is 0.6808.
Therefore, 0.6808, or 68.08%, of the women
spend less than $160.00 at Christmas time.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Example
Each month, an American household generates an average of
28 pounds of newspaper for garbage or recycling. Assume the
standard deviation is 2 pounds. If a household is selected at
random, find the probability of its generating
(a) Between 27 and 31 pounds per month.
(b) More than 30.2 pounds per month.
Assume the variable is approximately normally distributed.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution of (a)
Step 1: Draw the figure and represent the area. See
Figure below.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution, cont...
Step 2: Find the two z-values.
X−µ 27 − 28 −1
z1 = = = = −0.5
σ 2 2
X−µ 31 − 28 3
z2 =
= = = 1.5
σ 2 2
Step 3: Find the appropriate area, using the Table of z.
The area to the left of z2 is 0.9332, and the
area to the left of z1 is 0.3085. Hence, the area
between z1 and z2 is 0.9332 − 0.3085 = 0.6247
See Figure below.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution, cont...
Hence, the probability that a randomly selected household
generates between 27 and 31 pounds of newspapers per
month is 62.47%.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution of (b)
Step 1: Draw the figure and represent the area, as shown below.

Step 2: Find the z-value for X = 30.2.

X−µ 30.2 − 28 2.2
z= = = = 1.1
σ 2 2
Step 3: Find the appropriate area. The area to the left of
z = 1.1 is 0.8643. Hence, the area to the right of z = 1.1
is 1.0000 − 0.8643 = 0.1357
Hence, the probability that a randomly selected
household will accumulate more than 30.2 pounds of
newspapers is 0.1357, or 13.57%.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Formula for Finding X

To find the value of X, use the following formula:

X=z·σ+µ

Example
For a medical study, a researcher wishes to select people in the
middle 60% of the population based on blood pressure. If the
mean systolic blood pressure is 120 and the standard deviation
is 8, find the upper and lower readings that would qualify
people to participate in the study.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution
Assume that blood pressure readings are normally
distributed. The cutoff points are as shown below:

The figure shows that two values are needed: one above the
mean and one below the mean.
To get the area to the left of the positive z-value, add:

0.5000 + 0.3000 = 0.8000

The z-value closest to 0.8000 is 0.84. Substituting into the
formula X = z · σ + µ gives:
X1 = z · σ + µ = (0.84)(8) + 120 = 126.72.
Introduction to Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Normal Distribution

Solution, cont...
For the area to the left of the negative z-value, subtract
30% from 50%, yielding:
0.5000 − 0.3000 = 0.2000.

The area closest to 0.2000 corresponds to z = −0.84.

Substituting into the formula gives:

X2 = z · σ + µ = (−0.84)(8) + 120 = 113.28.

Therefore, the middle 60% will have blood pressure
readings in the range:
113.28 < X < 126.72.