What is the Normal Distribution?

The normal distribution is a continuous probability distribution that describes how data is spread around a
central value. It’s often called the “bell curve” because of its distinctive shape—high in the middle and tapering
off symmetrically on both sides. Many natural phenomena follow this pattern, making it a cornerstone of
statistics.

Key Characteristics
Symmetry: The curve is perfectly symmetric around the mean. The left and right halves are mirror images.
Mean, Median, Mode: These three measures of central tendency are equal and sit at the center of the
curve.
Spread: The standard deviation (σ) controls how spread out the data is. A small σ means the data clusters
tightly around the mean; a large σ means it’s more spread out.
68-95-99.7 Rule: This empirical rule tells us:
About 68% of the data lies within 1 standard deviation of the mean.
About 95% lies within 2 standard deviations.
About 99.7% lies within 3 standard deviations.

Mathematical Notation

If a random variable X follows a normal distribution with a mean μ and standard deviation σ , we write:
X ∼ N(μ, σ 2 )
Here, σ 2 is the variance, the square of the standard deviation.

Real-Life Examples
The normal distribution pops up everywhere in everyday life. Here are some practical examples:

1. Heights of People
Imagine measuring the heights of adult males in a population. The average might be 175 cm, with most
heights clustering around that value, and fewer people being extremely tall (e.g., 200 cm) or short (e.g.,
150 cm). The standard deviation might be 7 cm, showing how much heights typically vary.
2. Exam Scores
Scores on standardized tests like the SAT or IQ tests often form a bell curve. Most students score near
the average (say, 100 on an IQ test), with fewer scoring very high (e.g., 130) or very low (e.g., 70).
3. Measurement Errors
When scientists weigh an object multiple times, small errors occur due to equipment precision. These
errors tend to be normally distributed around the true weight, with most errors being small and rare
large errors balancing out on either side.

These examples show why the normal distribution is so useful—it models patterns we see in nature and human
activities.
The Standard Normal Distribution
To simplify calculations, we often convert a normal distribution into the standard normal distribution, which
has:

Mean (μ) = 0
Standard deviation (σ ) = 1

Z-Scores

We transform any normal variable X into a standard normal variable Z using the z-score formula:
x−μ
z= σ
​

x is the value we’re interested in.

μ is the mean.
σ is the standard deviation.

The z-score tells us how many standard deviations x is from the mean. Positive z-scores are above the mean;
negative ones are below.

Why Use It?

The standard normal distribution lets us use z-tables (standard normal tables) to find probabilities, making
problem-solving consistent across different means and standard deviations.

How to Solve Normal Distribution Problems

Past paper questions typically ask you to either find a probability or a value. Here’s a step-by-step method to
tackle them:

General Method
1. Identify the Problem Type

Probability: Find the chance of something happening (e.g., P(X < k)).
Value: Find a specific value given a probability (e.g., find k where P(X < k) = 0.95).
2. Standardize (if needed)
x−μ
For a normal distribution X ∼ N(μ, σ 2 ), convert x to a z-score: z = σ
​

3. Use Tools
Z-Table: Look up the z-score to find the area under the curve (probability).
 Inverse Normal: For finding values, use the inverse of the cumulative distribution (often from tables
or calculators).
4. Interpret
Convert back to original units if you standardized, and ensure your answer matches the question.

Let’s apply this method with examples.

Example 1: Finding a Probability

Question: The heights of adult males are normally distributed with a mean of 175 cm and a standard deviation
of 7 cm. What’s the probability a randomly selected male is taller than 180 cm?

Solution:

1. Identify: We need P(X > 180), where X ∼ N(175, 72 ).

2. Standardize: z = 180−175
7
= 57 ≈ 0.714
​ ​

3. Use the Z-Table:

Find P(Z < 0.714). From a standard normal table, this is about 0.7621.
Since we want “greater than,” calculate: P(Z > 0.714) = 1 − P(Z < 0.714) = 1 − 0.7621 =
0.2379
4. Interpret: The probability is approximately 0.238, or 23.8%.

Real-Life Connection: This could help a clothing company estimate how many tall-sized shirts to produce.

Example 2: Finding a Value

Question: The weights of apples are normally distributed with a mean of 150 g and a standard deviation of 10
g. Find the weight below which 95% of apples fall.

Solution:

1. Identify: We need k such that P(X < k) = 0.95, where X ∼ N(150, 102 ).
2. Use the Inverse Normal:

For P(Z < z) = 0.95 in the standard normal distribution, the z-table gives z ≈ 1.645.
3. Convert Back: k = μ + z ⋅ σ = 150 + 1.645 × 10 = 150 + 16.45 = 166.45
4. Interpret: 95% of apples weigh less than 166.45 g.

Real-Life Connection: A farmer might use this to determine quality control cutoffs for apple sizes.
Example 3: Normal Approximation to Binomial (Past Paper Style)
Question: A fair coin is tossed 100 times. Use the normal approximation to find the probability of getting
between 45 and 55 heads (inclusive).

Solution:

1. Identify: This is a binomial distribution (n = 100, p = 0.5), but since n is large, we approximate with a
normal distribution.

Mean: μ = np = 100 × 0.5 = 50

Standard deviation: σ = np(1 − p) = ​ 100 × 0.5 × 0.5 = ​ 25 = 5
​

So, X ∼ N(50, 52 ).
2. Standardize:
45−50
For 45 heads: z = 5
​ = −1
55−50
For 55 heads: z = 5 ​ =1
3. Use the Z-Table:

P(Z < 1) = 0.8413

P(Z < −1) = 0.1587
P(−1 < Z < 1) = 0.8413 − 0.1587 = 0.6826
4. Interpret: The probability is about 0.683, or 68.3%.

Note: For precision, we could apply a continuity correction (use 44.5 and 55.5 instead of 45 and 55), but for
large n, this approximation is often sufficient in exams.

Real-Life Connection: This could model quality control in a factory flipping a switch on/off 100 times to test
consistency.

Tips for Solving Past Paper Questions

Normal distribution questions in exams often test these skills:

Finding Probabilities: Like Example 1, where you calculate areas under the curve.
Finding Values: Like Example 2, using percentiles or inverse lookups.
Approximations: Like Example 3, applying normal distribution to binomial scenarios.

Practical Tips
Practice Standardization: Master the z-score formula—it’s your bridge to the standard normal table.
Use the Z-Table Efficiently: Know how to find probabilities and reverse them for values.
Sketch the Curve: A quick bell curve sketch helps visualize what you’re calculating (e.g., shading
P(X > 180)).
 Check Conditions: For binomial approximations, ensure np > 5 and n(1 − p) > 5.
Units Matter: Always include units (cm, g, etc.) in your final answer.

Summary
The normal distribution is a powerful tool for understanding data in the real world, from heights to test scores
to random errors. By standardizing to z-scores and using tables or calculators, you can solve a variety of
problems. With practice—especially on past paper questions—you’ll build the skills to handle any normal
distribution challenge.