Normal Distribution Objectives: (Chapter 7, DeCoursey) To define the Normal distribution, its shape, and its probability function To define the variable Z, which represents the number of standard deviations between any point x and the mean μ. To demonstrate the use of Normal probability Tables and Excel functions for solving Normal distribution problems.
Normal Distribution Symmetrical Shaped like a “bell” Mean, median and mode coincide Sometimes referred to as the Gaussian distribution.
Normal Distribution Probability function for the Normal distribution: μ: specifies the location of the center of the distribution; σ: : specifies the spread.
Normal Distribution a b Probability that a continuous random variable that obeys the Normal distribution lies within the limits “a” and “b”:
Normal Distribution Only numerical solution is available (Normal Distribution Tables). Challenges: an infinite number of probability distributions exist for various values of μ and σ, which leads to an infinite number of tables. Solution: A single curve is obtained by a simple change of variable: z: the number of standard deviations between any point x and the mean,μ.
Standardized Normal Distribution f(z) z
Cumulative Normal Distribution Φ(Z) Z Z