STAT 1013

Statistics
Week 11
Understanding the Z – score
Applications of the Normal
Distribution
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Relate a random variable distribution to a normal variable distribution;
2. Understand the concept of the z-score;
3. Convert a random variable to a standard normal variable and vice-versa;
and
4. Solve problems involving random and normal variables.
5. Discuss the properties of a normal distribution and the standard normal
distribution; and
6. Find the probabilities of a normally distributed variable by transforming
it into a standard normal distribution.
INTRODUCTION

 z-score is stated to be a measure of relative standing.

 These scores represent distances from the center measured
in standard deviation units.
 There are six z-scores at the base line of the normal curve:
three z scores to the left of the mean and three z-scores to
the right of the mean.
 The z-score
 
The areas under the normal curve are given in terms of z-values or
scores. Either the z-score locates X within a sample or within a
population. The formula for calculating z is:

 
where:
x = given measurement
μ = population mean
σ = pop. standard deviation
= sample mean
s = sample standard deviation
The z-score

For any population, the mean and the standard deviation are
fixed. Thus, the z formula matches the z-values one-to-one
with the X values (raw scores). That is, for every X value
there corresponds a z-value and for each z-value there is
exactly one X value.
The z-score

The z values are matched with specific areas under the

normal curve in a normal distribution table.
Therefore, to find the percentage associated with X, we must
find its matched z-value using the z-formula.
The z-value leads to the area under the curve found in the
normal curve table, which is a probability, and that
probability gives the desired percentage for X.
EXAMPLE 1

Given the mean, μ = 50 and the standard deviation, σ = 4 of

a population of Reading scores. Find the z-value that
corresponds to a score x = 58.
EXAMPLE 1

Given the mean, μ = 50 and the standard deviation, σ = 4 of a

population of Reading scores. Find the z – score that
corresponds to a score x = 58.
EXAMPLE 1
STEPS SOLUTION
1. Use the formula for computing the
z – score of population data
2.
2. Check
Check the
the given
given values.
values. Since
Since these
these
are
are population
population values,
values, the
the zz –– score
score
locates
locates x
x within
within aa population
population
3. Substitute the given values in the
3. Substitute the given values in the
formula
formula
4. Compute the z - score Hence, the z – score that
4. Compute the z - score Hence, the z to
corresponds – score
the rawthatscore 58 is
corresponds to thedistribution
2 in a population raw score 58 is
2 in a population distribution
EXAMPLE 1

This conversion from raw score to z-score is shown graphically:

From the diagram, we see

that a score X = 58
corresponds to z = 2. It is
above the mean. So we can
say that, with respect to the
mean, the score of 58 is
above average.
EXAMPLE 2

Locate the z – score that corresponds to a PE score of 39

given that μ = 45 and σ = 6.
EXAMPLE 2
STEPS SOLUTION
1. Use the formula for computing the
z – score of population data
2.
2. Check
Check the
the given
given values.
values. Since
Since these
these
are
are population
population values,
values, the
the zz –– score
score
locates
locates x
x within
within aa population
population
3. Substitute the given values in the
3. Substitute the given values in the
formula
formula
4. Compute the z - score Hence, the z – score that
4. Compute the z - score corresponds to the raw score 39 is
in a population distribution
EXAMPLE 2

This conversion from raw score to z-score is shown graphically:

With respect to the mean,

the score 39 is below the
population mean. We can
also say that the score 39 is
27 33 39 45 51 57 63 below average.
 EXAMPLE 3
 
Given a normal distribution with µ = 30 and σ = 6, find
the normal curve area to the RIGHT of x = 17.

Convert the raw score to z – score:

 EXAMPLE 3
 

Use the z – table to find the area to the RIGHT of

 EXAMPLE 4
 
Given a normal distribution with µ = 30 and σ = 6, find
the normal curve area to the LEFT of x = 22.

Convert the raw score to z – score:

EXAMPLE 4
 
Use the z – table to find the area to the LEFT of
EXAMPLE 5
 
Given a normal distribution with µ = 30 and σ = 6, find
the normal curve area between x = 32 and x = 41.

Convert the raw score to z – score:

EXAMPLE 5
 
Use the z – table to find the area between x = 32 and x = 41
SUMMARY

 
The areas under the normal curve are given in terms of
z – scores. Either the z-score locates X within a sample or
within a population. The formula for calculating z is:
SUMMARY

Importance of the z-scores

Raw scores may be composed of large values, but large
values cannot be accommodated at the base line of the normal
curve. So, they have to be transformed into scores for
convenience without sacrificing meanings associated with the
raw scores.
Applications of Normal Distribution

The probability distribution does not follow the standard

normal distribution, but does follow a general normal
distribution. When this is the case, compute the z – score
first to convert it into a standard normal distribution.
Then use the z-table.
EXAMPLE 1
 
A study was done to find the average waiting time to get
service in a local bank. The mean waiting time was 9.2
minutes, and the standard deviation was 2.6 minutes. If a
person enters the bank, find the probability that the person
has to wait between 6.6 minutes and 11.8 minutes.
EXAMPLE 1
 
Find the corresponding z - scores for the given raw scores

The required area is:

P = 0.341 + 0.341
P = 0.682 or 68.2%
 EXAMPLE 2
 
Find the corresponding z value for a value of 17 if the mean of a
variable is 10 and the standard deviation is 4.

Hence the z value of 1.75 corresponds to a value of 17 for an approximately

normal distribution which has a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 4.
Note: The z values are negative for values of variables that are below the
mean.
 EXAMPLE 3
 
In a study it was found that people keep their television for an
average of 4.8 years. The standard deviation is 1 year, and the
variable is normally distributed. If a television is selected at
random, find the probability that it is between 5 and 6 years old.
EXAMPLE 3

Find the two areas corresponding to 0.2 and 1.2.

For z = 0.2, the area is 0.0793.
For z = 1.2, the area is 0.3849. Subtract the areas: 0.3849 –
0.0793=0.3056 or 30.56%.
Hence, the probability that a randomly selected television set is
between 5 and 6 years old is 30.56%
EXAMPLE 4

The SAT Math exam is scaled to have the average of 500 points,
and the standard deviation of 100 points. What is the cutoff
score for top 10% of the SAT takers?
EXAMPLE 4
In this example we begin with a known area, find the z-value, and
then find x from the formula x = µ +σ z.
The 90th percentile corresponds to the 90% area under the normal
curve to the left of x.
Thus, we also require a z-value that leaves 0.9 area to the left and
hence, the Table Area of 0.4.

From Table Area, P(0 < Z < 1.28) = 0.3997.

Hence, x = 500 + 100(1.28) = 628.

Therefore, the cut – off for the top 10% is 628 points.
EXAMPLE 5
 
An exam which is approximately normally distributed has a mean of 200
and a standard deviation of 20. If a person who took the exam is selected
at random , find the probability that the person scored above 216.
Given :
EXAMPLE 5
 

The probability that the person scored

above 216 in an exam is 0.2119 or 0.2119
21.19%.
EXAMPLE 6

The IQ's of 600 applicants to a certain college are approximately normally

distributed with µ= 115 and σ = 12. If the college requires an IQ of at
least 95, how many of them will be rejected? Note that IQ's are rounded
to the nearest integer.
Given :
x = 95
EXAMPLE 6
 

The probability that the applicants will be

rejected is:

(Rejected)
REJECTED
4.75% of the 600 applicants or 35
ACCEPTED
applicants will be rejected to a certain
college.
EXAMPLE 7
A company pays its  

employees an average wage of

$15.90 an hour with a
standard deviation of $1.50.
If the wages were
approximately normally
distributed and paid t the
nearest cent, 50.68% of the workers receive wages between
a. What percentage of workers $13.75 and $16.22 an hour.
receive wages between $13.75
and $16.22 an hour?
EXAMPLE 7
A company pays its employees an  
Look for the corresponding
average wage of $15.90 an hour z – score of the z – value
with a standard deviation of
$1.50. If the wages were
approximately normally
The z – value of 0.4500 is located
distributed and paid to the nearest
between 1.64 and 1.65,hence the
cent,
corresponding z – score is the
b. What is the cutoff value for average of 1.64 and 1.65
highest paid 5% of the
employees?
Note : 5% = 0.05
EXAMPLE 7
A company pays its employees an  

average wage of $15.90 an hour Substitute z = 1.645 into the formula

with a standard deviation of to determine the cut – off value (x)
$1.50. If the wages were for the highest paid:
approximately normally
distributed and paid to the nearest
cent,
b. What is the cutoff value for
highest paid 5% of the
employees?
Note : 5% = 0.05
EXAMPLE 8

 
The number of morning customers of USL Coffee Shop
follows a normal distribution with a mean of 45 and a
standard deviation of 5. Determine the probability that
the number of customers tomorrow will be less than 40.
EXAMPLE 8
STEPS SOLUTION
Convert the raw score to a z – score.

Use the z – table to find the

Use the z – table to find the
probability
probability
Interpretation There is about a 15.87% chance
Interpretation There is about
that there a 15.87%
will be chance
fewer than 40
that there tomorrow.
customers will be fewer than 40
customers tomorrow.
EXAMPLE 9
 
A group of Psychology students conducted a study to
determine the stress levels that students have while taking
exams. The stress level was found to be normally distributed
with a mean stress level of 8.2 and a standard deviation of
1.34. What is the probability that in the next exam, the
students will have a stress level between 9 and 10?
EXAMPLE 9
STEPS SOLUTION
Convert the raw scores to
z – scores.
X1 = 9
X2 = 10
Use the z – table to find the
probability

Interpretation
Interpretation There
There is
is about
about 18.42%
18.42% chance
chance that
that the
the
students’
students’ stress
stress level
level will
will be
be between
between nine
nine
and
and ten.
ten.
EXAMPLE 10

A brisk walk at 4 miles per hour burns an average of 300 calories per
hour. If the standard deviation of the distribution is 8 calories, find the
probability that a person who walks one hour at the rate of 4 miles per
hour will burn the following calories. Assume the variable to be
normally distributed.
a) More than 280 calories
b) Less than 294 calories
c) Between 278 and 318 calories
EXAMPLE 10
A brisk walk at 4 miles per hour burns an average of 300 calories per hour. If the
standard deviation of the distribution is 8 calories, find the probability that a person
who walks one hour at the rate of 4 miles per hour will burn the following calories.
Assume the variable to be normally distributed.
   
a. More than 280 calories
STEP 1 STEP 2
Convert x = 280 to z – score Use the z – table to determine the area
X X
EXAMPLE 10
A brisk walk at 4 miles per hour burns an average of 300 calories per hour. If the
standard deviation of the distribution is 8 calories, find the probability that a person
who walks one hour at the rate of 4 miles per hour will burn the following calories.
Assume the variable to be normally distributed.
 
 
b. Less than 294 calories
STEP 1 STEP 2
Convert x = 294 to z – score Use the z – table to determine the area
X
X
 EXAMPLE 10
A brisk walk at 4 miles per hour burns an average of 300 calories per hour. If the
standard deviation of the distribution is 8 calories, find the probability that a person
who walks one hour at the rate of 4 miles per hour will burn the following calories.
Assume the variable to be normally distributed.
   
c. Between 278 and 318 calories
STEP 1 STEP 2
Convert x1 = 278 and x2 = 318 Use the z – table to determine the area
X

to z – scores
X
EXAMPLE 11

For a medical study, a researcher wishes to select people in the

middle of 40% 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 reading that would
qualify people to participate in the study.
EXAMPLE 11
For a medical study, a researcher wishes to select people in the middle of 40% 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 reading that would qualify
people to participate in the study.

Assuming that blood pressures

are normally distributed, the cut
off points are shown in the
figure.
40%
30% 30%

x1 x2
EXAMPLE 11
For a medical study, a researcher wishes to select people in the middle of 40% 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 reading that would qualify
people to participate in the study.

There are two values needed,

one above the mean and one
below the mean. First find the
value to the right of the mean.
The closest value for an area of 40%
0.20 is 0.525 30% 30%

x1 x2
EXAMPLE 11
For a medical study, a researcher wishes to select people in the middle of 40% 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 reading that would qualify
people to participate in the study.

 
For z = 0.525

40%
30% 30%

x1 x2
EXAMPLE 11
For a medical study, a researcher wishes to select people in the middle of 40% 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 reading that would qualify
people to participate in the study.

 
For z = – 0.525

40%
30% 30%

x1 x2