Areas Under a Normal Distribution

Areas Under a Normal Distribution

OPTIMIZE :

You have learned the important concepts about areas under a standard normal distribution. This time, you will learn the key concepts on areas under any normal
distribution. But first, check your readiness by doing the given tasks.

Task 1
Using the z-table, determine the corresponding area under the standard normal curve between z = 0 and the given z-scores.
1. z = 1.09
2. z = −0.77
3. z = −2.21
4. z = 3.01
5. z = −1.43

Task 2
Determine the required area under the standard normal curve of the following.
1. at least z = 2.04
2. between z = −1.33 and z = −0.05

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 Areas Under a Normal Distribution

CAPTURE :

Group the given phrases into two by rewriting them in the given circles. Write the characteristics or descriptions of each group in the box inside the circles.
1st place 6 feet valedictorian 1 dozen
3rd runner up
35 degrees 2 cups above average 1,000 pesos 2nd
honors

Have you already taken the National Achievement Test? How are your scores reported in the result? You may notice that the results are reported as
percentiles. What do a score of 95 in the 85th percentile and a score of 85 in the 90th percentile signify? Which is a better score? It will be discussed in this lesson. In
which circle in Capture will the “score” and “percentile” belong?

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 Areas Under a Normal Distribution

NAVIGATE :

Raw scores sometimes are composed of large values which cannot be accommodated at the baseline of the normal curve. Suppose the mean distance
traveled by car in a year is 18,250 kilometers and the standard deviation is 1,120 kilometers. It would not be practical to use these values in constructing a normal
curve. They have to be transformed into z-scores for convenience without sacrificing the meaning associated with the raw scores.
For any population, the mean and standard deviation are fixed. It means that they would not change or there is a particular mean and standard deviation for
every population. Thus, the z-formula matches the z-scores one-to-one with the X values (raw scores). That is, for every raw score X, there corresponds a z-score and
for each z-score, there is exactly one raw score X.

Converting Raw Score to z-score and Vice Versa

The areas under the normal curve are given in terms of z-scores or z-values. The z-score z locates raw score X either within a sample or population. The
formulas for calculating z and X are:

where:
z→ z-score or z-value
X → raw score
μ → population mean
σ → population standard deviation
X→ sample mean
s → sample standard deviation

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 Areas Under a Normal Distribution

Examples:
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 of
X = 58.

Steps Solution

1. Determine whether the data are for

population
population or sample.

2. List the given data. μ = 50 σ=4 X = 58

Figure 2.12: A normal curve showing z-scores
and raw scores for Example 1
3. Use the appropriate computing From the diagram, you see that a score X = 58 corresponds to z
formula and substitute the given data. = 2 and above the mean. Therefore, with respect to the mean, the score of
58 is above average.

The z-score that corresponds to a score X = In Figure 2.12, because z = 0 is the center of the distribution, the
4. State the answer.
58 is 2. negative z-scores simply indicate that these

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 Areas Under a Normal Distribution

Examples:
2. Find the score X that corresponds to z = −1 in the general mathematics exam if the mean of X = 45 and the standard deviation of s = 6.

Steps Solution

1. Determine whether the data are for

sample
population or sample.

2. List the given data. X = 45 s=6 z=1

3. Use the appropriate computing formula and

X = X + zs = 45 +(-1)(6) = 39
substitute the given data.
The score X that corresponds to z = −1 in the
4. State the answer.
physical science exam is 39.

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 Areas Under a Normal Distribution
Examples:
1. Find the z-score that corresponds to a probability of
Determining z-scores when Probability Is Given 0.8341.
In the previous topic, you have gained an understanding of how to
convert a raw score to a z-score and vice versa. Suppose that the probability is Steps Solution
given, what would be the corresponding z-score? The following are the suggested 1. Determine whether the given 0.8341 is greater than 0.5000
steps in determining the corresponding z-scores when the probabilities are given. probability is less than or greater than z-score is positive
1. Determine whether the given probability is less than or 0.5000. 0.8341 − 0.5000 = 0.3341
greater than 0.5000:
0.3341 is not in the table
• if the probability is less than 0.5000, then the z-score is 2. Find 0.3341 from the z-table.
0.3340 is the nearest value
negative. Subtract the given probability from 0.5000.
3. Locate the first two digits in the
• if the probability is greater than 0.5000, then the z-score is leftmost column and the third digit in the z = 0.97
positive. Subtract 0.5000 from the given probability. uppermost row of 0.3340.

2. Find the result from the first step in the z-table. If it cannot be found, use
the nearest value. 2. Find the z-score that corresponds to the probability of 0.2400.

Steps Solution
3. Locate the first two digits (ones and tenths) in the leftmost
column and the last digit (hundredths) in the uppermost row. 1. Determine whether the given 0.2400 is less than 0.5000
probability is less than or greater than z-score is negative
0.5000. 0.5000 − 0.2400 = 0.2600
0.2600 is not in the table
2. Find 0.2600 from the z-table.
0.2611 is the nearest value
3. Locate the first two digits in the
leftmost column and the third digit in the
z = −0.71
uppermost
row of 0.2611.

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 Areas Under a Normal Distribution
Examples:
1. Find the z-score that corresponds to a probability of
0.8341.

Applying the Normal Curve Concepts in Problem Solving Steps Solution

μ = 80 σ = 15
Understanding Test Results
1. List the given data. “70% of the cases are below it” means:
P(z < za) = 70% = 0.7000
The results of a nationwide aptitude test in mathematics are normally
distributed with μ = 80 and σ = 15. Find the raw score such that 70% of the cases 2. Determine the z-score that 0.7000 is greater than 0.5000
are below it. corresponds to 0.7000. Is it less than or z-score is positive
greater than 0.5000? 0.7000 − 0.5000 = 0.2000
Analysis: The problem involves normal distribution, so the normal curve concepts
can be applied to solve it. In order to find the raw score, the z-score must be 0.2000 is not in the table
3. Find 0.2000 in the z-table.
0.1985 is the nearest value
solved first using the percentage or probability given in the problem.
4. Locate the z-score of 0.1985 in the z-
z = 0.52
table.
X = μ + zσ
5. Use the formula for solving raw score X = 80 + (0.52)(15)
X. X = 87.8 ≈ 88
Always round up for test scores.
In the results of a nationwide aptitude
6. State the answer. test in mathematics, 70% of the cases are
below 88.

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 Areas Under a Normal Distribution
Using Probabilities to Determine Frequencies

It has been discussed that the area under the curve indicates either a percentage or a proportion of measurements. Such percentage also represents the percentage of scores in a
distribution. To illustrate this concept, consider the following example.

The weights of 1,000 children average 50 kilograms and the standard deviation is 5 kilograms. How many children weigh between 40 and 50 kilograms?

Analysis: In order to determine the number of children who weigh between 40 and 50 kilograms, the probability or percentage between these raw scores must be identified. This can be done by
converting them to z-scores.

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 Areas Under a Normal Distribution

Steps Solution

Using Probabilities to Determine Frequencies

μ = 50 σ = 5 Xa = 40 Xb = 55
1. List the given data.
It has been discussed that the area under the curve indicates either a N = 1,000 (total population)
percentage or a proportion of measurements. Such percentage also represents the
percentage of scores in a distribution. To illustrate this concept, consider the
following example. 2. Convert raw scores to z-scores.

The weights of 1,000 children average 50 kilograms and the standard

deviation is 5 kilograms. How many children weigh between 40 and 50 3. Determine the corresponding area
kilograms? under the standard normal curve of the 0.2000 is not in the table
z-scores using the 0.1985 is the nearest value
Analysis: In order to determine the number of children who weigh between 40 z-table.
and 50 kilograms, the probability or percentage between these raw scores must be
identified. This can be done by converting them to z-scores. 4. Write the required probability notation
z = 0.52
and use the appropriate formula.

X = μ + zσ
5. Multiply the computed probability to X = 80 + (0.52)(15)
the total population. X = 87.8 ≈ 88
Always round up for test scores.

In the results of a nationwide aptitude

6. State the answer. test in mathematics, 70% of the cases are
below 88.

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 Areas Under a Normal Distribution Solving Problems Involving Percentiles
Examples:
Locating Percentile Under the Normal Curve 1. Find the 95th percentile of the normal curve.
Analysis: By definition of percentile, 95th percentile means locating
For any set of measurements (arranged in ascending or descending the area of 95% in the normal curve below a z-score.
order), a percentile is a point in the distribution such that a given number of
cases is below it. A percentile is a measure of relative standing. It is a
descriptive measure of the relationship of a measurement to the rest of the
data. For example, in a test in Algebra, a score of 82 is located at the 90 th
percentile. It means that 90% of the scores were lower than 82 and 10% were
higher, as shown in Figure 2.13.

Figure 2.13: A normal curve showing a

score of 82 in the 90th percentile

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 Areas Under a Normal Distribution

2. The results of a nationwide aptitude test in math are normally

distributed with μ = 80 and σ = 16. Also, the results of a nationwide
aptitude test in English are normally distributed with μ = 75 and σ = 13.
Lucy took both aptitude tests. In mathematics, she got a score of 84 and
in English, she got a score of 78. What is the percentile rank for each
score? In which aptitude test does Lucy perform better?

Analysis: The score is better if the percentile rank is higher. Solve for
the percentile rank of each.

Notice that there is no prescriptive procedure in the computation of the z-scores and
probabilities. You have to analyze the problem carefully and apply what you have learned
about the concepts and procedures involving the normal curve.

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Activity:
CHECKPOINT 3
A. Convert the given raw scores to z-scores if μ = 65 and σ = 5.
1. X = 58 2. X = 68 3. X = 74
B. Convert the given z-scores to raw scores when μ = 80 and σ = 8.
1. z = 1.50 2. z = −0.25 3. z = −2.75
C. Determine the z-scores that correspond to the given probabilities.
1. 0.8700 2. 0.0945
D. Fill in the blanks with the correct word, group of words, or values in the given statements.
1. For every raw score, there is exactly _____ z-score.
2. The value of the z-score found in the center of the distribution is _____.
3. A given number of cases is below the _________ point in the distribution.
4. If the probability is less than 0.500, the z-score is located at the _____ side of the mean.
5. The point in the upper 40% of the distribution is the same point of the _____ th percentile.

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Activity: ANSWER KEY
CAPTURE

NAVIGATE
Checkpoint 3
A. 1. −1.4 2. 0.6 3. 1.8
B. 1. 92 2. 78 3. 58
C. 1. 1.13 2. −1.31
D. 1. one
2. zero
3. percentile
4. Left

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