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Determining Probabilities

The document explains common probability notations related to the normal curve, such as P(a < z < b) and P(z > a), and their meanings. It provides examples and steps for calculating areas under the curve using z-scores, including how to interpret and use a z-table. The document emphasizes that the probability of a z-value being exactly equal to a specific point is 0.

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Maji D. Pusi
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13 views

Determining Probabilities

The document explains common probability notations related to the normal curve, such as P(a < z < b) and P(z > a), and their meanings. It provides examples and steps for calculating areas under the curve using z-scores, including how to interpret and use a z-table. The document emphasizes that the probability of a z-value being exactly equal to a specific point is 0.

Uploaded by

Maji D. Pusi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DETERMINING

PROBABILITIES
The following are the most common
probability notations used in studying
concepts on the normal curve.
P(a < z < b) - this notation represents the idea stating
the probability that the z-value is between a and
b
P(z> a) - this notation represents the idea stating the
probability that the z-value is above a
P(z< a) - this notation represents the idea stating the
probability that the z-value is below a where a
and b are z-score values.
P(z = a) = 0 - this notation represents the
idea stating the probability that the z-
value is equal to a is 0. This notation
indicates that a z-value is equal to exactly
one point on the curve. With that single
point, a line can be drawn signifying the
probability can be below or above it. That
is why, for a z-value to be exactly equal to
a value its probability is equal to 0.
For example, to denote the area between
z = 1 and z = 2, we use the notation
P(1 < z <2).

Which we read as “ The


probability that the z-score
falls between z = 1 and z =
2 is 0.1359”.
Terms involved in using notations

Negative P(z < Positive P(z >


a) a)
“less than z” “greater than z”
“to the left of z” “to the right of z”
“below z” “above z”
“lower than” “more than z”
“under z” “at least z”
EXAMPLES

1. Find the proportion of


the area between z = 2
and z = 3.
2. Find the proportion of the
area below z = 1.
3. Find the area that the z-value is
exactly equal to 1.
4. Find the area
greater than z = 1.
STEPS SOLUTION
1.Draw a normal curve.
2.Locate the z-value
3.Draw a line through the z-value
4.Shade the required region

5. Consult the z-table and find the area z = 1 corresponds to


that corresponds to z = 1. an area of 0.3413

6. Examine the graph and use the P(z > 1) = 0.5 –


probability notation to form an 0.3413
= 0.1587
equation showing the appropriate
operation to get the required area.
7. Make a The proportion
statement of the area
indicating the greater than 1 is
required area. 0.1587
5. Find the proportion of
the area above the z = -
1.
STEPS SOLUTION
1.Draw a normal curve.
2.Locate the z-value
3.Draw a line through the z-value
4.Shade the required region

5. Consult the z-table and find z = -1 corresponds to


the area that corresponds to z = - an area of 0.3413
1.
6. Examine the graph and use P(z > -1) = 0.5 +
the probability notation to form 0.3413
an equation showing the = 0.8413
appropriate operation to get the
required area.
7. Make a The proportion
statement of the area
indicating the above z = -1 is
required area. 0.8413
6. Find the area to the
left of z = - 1.5.
STEPS SOLUTION
1.Draw a normal curve.
2.Locate the z-value
3.Draw a line through the z-value
4.Shade the required region
5. Consult the z-table and find z = -1.5 corresponds to
the area that corresponds to an area of 0.4332
z = -1.5.
6. Examine the graph and use P(z < -1) = 0.5 -
the probability notation to form 0.4332
an equation showing the = 0.1668
appropriate operation to get the
required area.
7. Make a The proportion
statement of the area to
indicating the the left of z = -
required area. 1.5 is 0.1668.
7. Find the area
between z = -2 and z
= -1.5.
STEPS SOLUTION
1.Draw a normal curve.
2.Locate the z-value
3.Draw a line through the z-
value
4.Shade the required
region
5. Using the z-table and find z = -1.5 corresponds
the area that corresponds to 0.4332
to z = -2 corresponds to
z = -2 and z = - 1.5. .4772
6. Examine the P(-2 < z < -1.5) = 0.4772 –
graph and use the 0.4332
probability notation = 0.0440
to form an equation
showing the
appropriate
operation to get the
required area.
7. Make a The required area
statement between z = -2 and z =
indicating the -1.5 is 0.0440
required area.

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