1. Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Chapter 6
The Normal Probability Distribution

2. Continuous Random Variables
Continuous random variables can assume infinitely many values corresponding to points on a line interval.
Examples:
Heights, Weights
Lifetime of a particular product
Experimental laboratory error
1. For instance, if we randomly grab a fish out of the ocean, let x denote its weight, then x is a continuous random variable. It can take values on a line interval.
2. The lifetime of a GE light bulb is a continuous random variable, since the bulb can burn out at any time point.
3. For example, in an experiment, we round an observation to the nearest inch; the error would probably take values from -.5 to .5; then this error is a continuous random variable.

3. Continuous Random Variables
A smooth curve describes the probability distribution of a continuous random variable.
The depth or density of the probability, which varies with x, may be described by a mathematical formula f (x ), called the probability density function for the random variable x.
The smooth curve is the graph of the probability density function.

4. Properties of Continuous Random Variable x
The area under the curve is equal to 1.
P(a < x < b) = area under the curve between a and b.
There is no probability attached to any single value of x. That is, P(x = a) = 0.

5. Properties of Continuous Random Variable x
Total probability is 1
P( x = a) = 0
P( x  a) = P( x < a)
(not true when x is discrete)
P( a < x < b) is the area between a and b under the density curve
P( x < a) is the area to the left of a
P( x > a) is the area to the right of a
In the case of continuous random variable, the probability of open interval, close interval or half open half close, is the same.

6. Continuous Probability Distributions
There are many different types of continuous random variables
a. Uniform.
b. Exponential.
c. Normal.
We try to pick a model that
Fits the data well
Allows us to make the best possible inferences using the data.
Uniform random variable; it is used to model the behavior of a continuous random variable that the values are evenly or uniformly distributed over a given interval;
Exponential random variable are used to model the lifetime of electronic products; waiting time of checkout counter etc.
Normal random variable usually model the heights and weights of plants, animals or human beings.

7. Normal Distribution
The formula that generates the normal probability density is:
Location is determined by the mean. If mean is positive, it shifts the cure to the right; if it is negative, it shifts the curve to the left. Shape of the normal curve is determined by the standard deviation. If s.d. gets large, it flattens down the curve, and if s.d. gets small, it squeezes the curve to the center and the curve becomes sharper.
Standard Normal: m = 0, s = 1.

8. Normal Distribution
The shape and location of the normal curve changes as the mean and standard deviation change.
Mean locates the center of the curve;
Standard deviation determines the shape:
Large values of standard deviation reduce height and increase spread.
Small values increase height and reduce spread.
Location is determined by the mean. If mean is positive, it shifts the cure to the right; if it is negative, it shifts the curve to the left. Shape of the normal curve is determined by the standard deviation. If s.d. gets large, it flattens down the curve, and if s.d. gets small, it squeezes the curve to the center and the curve becomes sharper.

9. The Standard Normal Distribution
To find P(a < x < b), we need to find the area under the appropriate normal curve.
To simplify the tabulation of these areas, we standardize each value of x by expressing it as a z-score, the number of standard deviations s it lies from the mean m.

10. Standard Normal (z) Distribution
z has Mean = 0; Standard deviation = 1
Symmetric about z = 0
Total area under curve is 1;
Area to the right of 0 is 0.5;
Area to the left of 0 is 0.5.
Total probability
P ( z > 0 ) = .5
P ( z < 0 ) = .5

11. Using Table 3 Use Table 3 to calculate the probability:
P(z < 1.36) ?
Area to the left of 1.36
P ( z < 1.36) = .9131
Area to the left of 1.36
=.9131

12. Using Table 3 Use Table 3 to find the probability: P( z > 1.36) ?
Area to the right of 1.36
P ( z > 1.36)
= 1- P ( z 1.36)
= = .0869

13. Using Table 3 Use Table 3 to calculate the probability: (Area between)
P(-1.20 < z <1.36)?
P(-1.20 < z <1.36)
= P ( z < 1.36) - P ( z <-1.2) =
= .7980
Area between -1.2 and 1.36

14. Check Empirical Rule within 3 standard deviations P(-3 < z <3)
= =.9974
Remember the Empirical Rule: Approximately 99.7% of the measurements lie within 3 standard deviations of the mean.
P(-1 < z <1)
= = .6826
P(-2 < z < 2)
= = .9544

15. z value with more than two decimals
P( z < 1.643)
= P( z < 1.64)
= .9495
P( z < )
= P( z < 1.65)
= .9505
P( z < 1.645) ?
1.645 is halfway of 1.64 and 1.65
Look for areas of 1.64 and 1.65 in Table 3.
Since the value is halfway between 1.64 and 1.65, we average areas and
P( z  1.645) = ( )/2 = .9500

16. Extreme z values Using Table 3, calculate P(z<-5) = ? P(z>4) = ?

17. General Normal & Standard Normal
x is normal with mean m and standard deviation s .
Question: P(a < x < b) ?
i.e. area under the normal curve from a to b.
To simplify the tabulation of these areas, we standardize each value of x by expressing it as a z-score, the number of standard deviations s it lies from the mean m.
Probabilities involving a general normal random variable x can be obtained by standardizing it and then using table 3.
z is standard normal

18. Example x is normal with mean 10.2 and standard deviation 5.
z is standard normal
x is normal with mean 10.2 and standard deviation 5.
Probabilities involving a general normal random variable x can be obtained by standardizing it and then using table 3.
z is standard normal

19. Probabilities for General Normal Random Variable
To find an area for a normal random variable x with mean m and standard deviation s, standardize or rescale the interval in terms of z.
Find the appropriate area using Table 3.
Example: x has a normal distribution with m = 5 and s = 2. Find P(x > 7). z

20. Example
The weights of packages of ground beef are normally distributed with mean 1 pound and standard deviation .10. What is the probability that a randomly selected package weighs between 0.80 and 0.85 pounds?

21. Area under General Normal Curve
Studies show that gasoline use for compact cars sold in U.S. is normally distributed, with a mean of 25.5 mpg and a standard deviation of 4.5 mpg.
What is the percentage of compacts get 30 mpg or more?
15.87% of compacts get 30 mpg or more
using Table 3

22. Using Table 3
To find an area to the left of a z-value, find the area directly from the table.
e.g. P( z < 1.36)
To find an area to the right of a z-value, find the area in Table 3 and subtract from 1. or find the area with respect to the negative of the z-value;
e.g. P( z >1.36) = 1-P( z <1.36), P( z>1.36) = P( z< -1.36)
To find the area between two values of z, find the two areas in Table 3, and subtract.
e.g. P( < z < 1.36 )
To find an area for a normal random variable x with mean m and standard deviation s, standardize or rescale the interval in terms of z.
Find the appropriate area using Table 3.

23. Working Backwards Find the value of z that has area .25 to its left.
Look for the four digit area closest to in Table 3.
What row and column does this value correspond to?
3. z = -.67
4. What percentile does this value represent?
25th percentile,
or 1st quartile (Q1)

24. Working Backwards Find the value of z that has area .05 to its right.
The area to its left will be = .95
Look for the four digit area closest to in Table 3.
Since the value is halfway between and .9505, we choose z halfway between 1.64 and 1.65.
z = 1.645

25. Example 1
Find the value of z, say z0 , such that .01 of the area is to its right.
(tail area of .01)
using Table 3

26. Example 2
Find the value of z, say z0 , such that .95 of the area is within z0 standard deviations of the mean.
using Table 3

27. Example 3
The weights of packages of ground beef are normally distributed with mean 1 pound and standard deviation .10. What is the weight of a package such that only 1% of all packages exceed this weight?
using Table 3
99th percentile

28. Exercise

29. Key Concepts
I. Continuous Probability Distributions 1. Continuous random variables 2. Probability distributions or probability density functions a. Curves are smooth. b. The area under the curve between a and b represents the probability that x falls between a and b. c. P (x = a) = 0 for continuous random variables. II. The Normal Probability Distribution 1. Symmetric about its mean m . 2. Shape determined by its standard deviation s .

30. Key Concepts
III. The Standard Normal Distribution 1. The normal random variable z has mean 0 and standard deviation Any normal random variable x can be transformed to a standard normal random variable using 3. Convert necessary values of x to z. 4. Use Table 3 in Appendix I to compute standard normal probabilities. 5. Several important z-values have tail areas as follows: Tail Area: z-Value: