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Chapter 6

The Normal
Distribution

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The Normal Distribution

Outline
6-1
6-2
6-3
6-4

Normal Distributions
Applications of the Normal Distribution
The Central Limit Theorem
The Normal Approximation to the Binomial
Distribution

The Normal Distribution

Objectives
1
2
3

Identify distributions as symmetric or skewed.


Identify the properties of a normal distribution.
Find the area under the standard normal distribution,
given various z values.

Find probabilities for a normally distributed variable


by transforming it into a standard normal variable.

Find specific data values for given percentages, using


the standard normal distribution.

The Normal Distribution

Objectives
6

Use the central limit theorem to solve problems


involving sample means for large samples.

Use the normal approximation to compute


probabilities for a binomial variable.

6.1 Normal Distributions


Many continuous variables have distributions that
are bell-shaped and are called approximately
normally distributed variables.
variables
The theoretical curve, called the bell curve or the
Gaussian distribution,
distribution can be used to study many
variables that are not normally distributed but are
approximately normal.

Bluman, Chapter 6

Normal Distributions
The mathematical equation for the normal
distribution is:

y
where
e 2.718

( X )2 (2 2 )

3.14
population mean
population standard deviation
Bluman, Chapter 6

Normal Distributions
The shape and position of the normal distribution
curve depend on two parameters, the mean and the
standard deviation.
deviation
Each normally distributed variable has its own
normal distribution curve, which depends on the
values of the variables mean and standard deviation.

Bluman, Chapter 6

Normal Distributions

Bluman, Chapter 6

Normal Distribution Properties


The normal distribution curve is bell-shaped.
The mean, median, and mode are equal and located
at the center of the distribution.
The normal distribution curve is unimodal (i.e., it
has only one mode).
The curve is symmetrical about the mean, which is
equivalent to saying that its shape is the same on
both sides of a vertical line passing through the
center.

Bluman, Chapter 6

Normal Distribution Properties


The curve is continuousi.e., there are no gaps or
holes. For each value of X, there is a corresponding
value of Y.
The curve never touches the x-axis. Theoretically, no
matter how far in either direction the curve extends,
it never meets the x-axisbut it gets increasingly
closer.

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Normal Distribution Properties


The total area under the normal distribution curve is
equal to 1.00 or 100%.
The area under the normal curve that lies within
one standard deviation of the mean is
approximately 0.68 (68%).
two standard deviations of the mean is
approximately 0.95 (95%).
three standard deviations of the mean is
approximately 0.997 ( 99.7%).

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Normal Distribution Properties

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Standard Normal Distribution


Since each normally distributed variable has its own
mean and standard deviation, the shape and location
of these curves will vary. In practical applications,
one would have to have a table of areas under the
curve for each variable. To simplify this, statisticians
use the standard normal distribution.
The standard normal distribution is a normal
distribution with a mean of 0 and a standard
deviation of 1.

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z value (Standard Value)


The z value is the number of standard deviations that a
particular X value is away from the mean. The formula
for finding the z value is:

value mean
z
standard deviation
X
z

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Area under the Standard Normal


Distribution Curve
1. To the left of any z value:
Look up the z value in the table and use the area
given.

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Area under the Standard Normal


Distribution Curve
2. To the right of any z value:
Look up the z value and subtract the area from 1.

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Area under the Standard Normal


Distribution Curve
3. Between two z values:
Look up both z values and subtract the
corresponding areas.

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Chapter 6
Normal Distributions
Section 6-1
Example 6-1
Page #304
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Example 6-1: Area under the Curve


Find the area to the left of z = 2.06.

The value in the 2.0 row and the 0.06 column of Table E
is 0.9803. The area is 0.9803.
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Chapter 6
Normal Distributions
Section 6-1
Example 6-2
Page #304
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Example 6-2: Area under the Curve


Find the area to the right of z = 1.19.

The value in the 1.1 row and the .09 column of Table E
is 0.1170. The area is 1 0.1170 = 0.8830.
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Chapter 6
Normal Distributions
Section 6-1
Example 6-3
Page #305
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Example 6-3: Area under the Curve


Find the area between z = +1.68 and z = 1.37.

The values for z = +1.68 is 0.9535 and for


z = 1.37 is 0.0853. The area is 0.9535 0.0853 = 0.8682.
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Chapter 6
Normal Distributions
Section 6-1
Example 6-4
Page #306
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Example 6-4: Probability


a. Find the probability: P(0 < z < 2.32)

The values for z = 2.32 is 0.9898 and for z = 0 is 0.5000.


The probability is 0.9898 0.5000 = 0.4898.
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Exercise #7

Find the area under the normal distribution curve.


Between z = 0 and z = 0.75

0
area = 0.2734

0.75

Exercise #15

Find the area under the normal distribution curve.


between z = 0.79 and z = 1.28. The area is
found by looking up the values 0.79 and
1.28 in table E and subtracting the areas
as shown in Block 3 of the
Procedure Table.

0 0.79 1.28
0.3997 0.2852 = 0.1145

Exercise #31

Find probabilities, using the standard normal distribution


P(z > 2.83).The area is found by looking up z = 2.83 in
Table E then subtracting the area from 0.5
as shown in Block 2 of the
Procedure Table.

0
0.5 0.4977 = 0.0023

2.83

Exercise #45

Find the z value that corresponds to the given area.


0.8962

0.8962 0.5 = 0.3962

Find the z value that corresponds to the given area.


0.8962

Using Table E, find the area 0.3962 and


read the correct z value [corresponding
to this area] to get 1.26. Finally,
because the z value lies to the left
of 0, z = 1.26.

Chapter 6
Normal Distributions
Section 6-1
Example 6-5
Page #307
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Example 6-5: Probability


Find the z value such that the area under the standard
normal distribution curve between 0 and the z value is
0.2123.

Add 0.5000 to 0.2123 to get the cumulative area of


0.7123. Then look for that value inside Table E.
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Example 6-5: Probability


Add .5000 to .2123 to get the cumulative area of .7123.
Then look for that value inside Table E.

The z value is 0.56.


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6.2 Applications of the Normal


Distributions
The standard normal distribution curve can be used
to solve a wide variety of practical problems. The
only requirement is that the variable be normally or
approximately normally distributed.
For all the problems presented in this chapter, you
can assume that the variable is normally or
approximately normally distributed.

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Applications of the Normal


Distributions
To solve problems by using the standard normal
distribution, transform the original variable to a
standard normal distribution variable by using the z
value formula.
This formula transforms the values of the variable
into standard units or z values. Once the variable is
transformed, then the Procedure Table (Sec. 6.1) and
Table E in Appendix C can be used to solve
problems.
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Chapter 6
Normal Distributions
Section 6-2
Example 6-6
Page #315
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Example 6-6: Summer Spending


A survey found that women spend on average $146.21 on
beauty products during the summer months.
Assume the standard deviation is $29.44.
Find the percentage of women who spend less than $160.00.
Assume the variable is normally distributed.

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Example 6-6: Summer Spending


Step 1: Draw the normal distribution curve.

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Example 6-6: Summer Spending


Step 2: Find the z value corresponding to $160.00.

X 160.00 146.21
z

0.47

29.44
Step 3: Find the area to the left of z = 0.47.

Table E gives us an area of .6808.


68% of women spend less than $160.
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Chapter 6
Normal Distributions
Section 6-2
Example 6-7a
Page #315
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Example 6-7a: Newspaper Recycling


Each month, an American household generates an average of 28
pounds of newspaper for garbage or recycling. Assume the
standard deviation is 2 pounds. If a household is selected at
random, find the probability of its generating between 27 and 31
pounds per month. Assume the variable is approximately
normally distributed.
Step 1: Draw the normal distribution curve.

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Example 6-7a: Newspaper Recycling


Step 2: Find z values corresponding to 27 and 31.

27 28
z
0.5
2

31 28
z
1.5
2

Step 3: Find the area between z = -0.5 and z = 1.5.

Table E gives us an area of 0.9332 0.3085 = 0.6247. The


probability is 62%.
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Chapter 6
Normal Distributions
Section 6-2
Example 6-8
Page #317
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Example 6-8: Coffee Consumption


Americans consume an average of 1.64 cups of coffee per day.
Assume the variable is approximately normally distributed with
a standard deviation of 0.24 cup.
If 500 individuals are selected, approximately how many will
drink less than 1 cup of coffee per day?

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Example 6-8: Coffee Consumption


Step 1: Draw the normal distribution curve.

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Example 6-8: Coffee Consumption


Step 2: Find the z value for 1.

1 1.64
z
2.67
0.24
Step 3: Find the area to the left of z = 2.67. It is 0.0038.
Step 4: To find how many people drank less than 1 cup of
coffee, multiply the sample size 500 by 0.0038 to get
1.9.
Since we are asking about people, round the answer to
2 people. Hence, approximately 2 people will drink less
than 1 cup of coffee a day.
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Chapter 6
Normal Distributions
Section 6-2
Example 6-9
Page #318
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Example 6-9: Police Academy


To qualify for a police academy, candidates must score in the
top 10% on a general abilities test. The test has a mean of 200
and a standard deviation of 20. Find the lowest possible score to
qualify. Assume the test scores are normally distributed.
Step 1: Draw the normal distribution curve.

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Example 6-8: Police Academy


Step 2: Subtract 1 0.1000 to find area to the left, 0.9000. Look
for the closest value to that in Table E.

Step 3: Find X.

X z 200 1.28 20 225.60

The cutoff, the lowest possible score to qualify, is 226.


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Chapter 6
Normal Distributions
Section 6-2
Example 6-10
Page #319
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Example 6-10: Systolic Blood Pressure


For a medical study, a researcher wishes to select people in the
middle 60% 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 readings that would qualify
people to participate in the study.
Step 1: Draw the normal distribution curve.

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Example 6-10: Systolic Blood Pressure

Area to the left of the positive z: 0.5000 + 0.3000 = 0.8000.


Using Table E, z 0.84. X = 120 + 0.84(8) = 126.72
Area to the left of the negative z: 0.5000 0.3000 = 0.2000.
Using Table E, z 0.84. X = 120 0.84(8) = 113.28
The middle 60% of readings are between 113 and 127.
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Normal Distributions
A normally shaped or bell-shaped distribution is
only one of many shapes that a distribution can
assume; however, it is very important since many
statistical methods require that the distribution of
values (shown in subsequent chapters) be normally
or approximately normally shaped.
There are a number of ways statisticians check for
normality. We will focus on three of them.

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Checking for Normality

Histogram
Pearsons Index PI of Skewness
Outliers
Other Tests

Normal Quantile Plot


Chi-Square Goodness-of-Fit Test
Kolmogorov-Smikirov Test
Lilliefors Test
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Chapter 6
Normal Distributions
Section 6-2
Example 6-11
Page #320
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Example 6-11: Technology Inventories


A survey of 18 high-technology firms showed the number of
days inventory they had on hand. Determine if the data are
approximately normally distributed.
5 29 34 44 45 63 68 74 74
81 88 91 97 98 113 118 151 158
Method 1: Construct a Histogram.

The histogram is approximately bell-shaped.


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Example 6-11: Technology Inventories


Method 2: Check for Skewness.
X 79.5, MD 77.5, s 40.5

3( X MD ) 3 79.5 77.5
PI

0.148
s
40.5
The PI is not greater than 1 or less than 1, so it can be concluded
that the distribution is not significantly skewed.
Method 3: Check for Outliers.
Five-Number Summary: 5 - 45 - 77.5 - 98 - 158
Q1 1.5(IQR) = 45 1.5(53) = 34.5
Q3 + 1.5(IQR) = 98 + 1.5(53) = 177.5
No data below 34.5 or above 177.5, so no outliers.
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Example 6-11: Technology Inventories


A survey of 18 high-technology firms showed the number of
days inventory they had on hand. Determine if the data are
approximately normally distributed.
5 29 34 44 45 63 68 74 74
81 88 91 97 98 113 118 151 158
Conclusion:
The histogram is approximately bell-shaped.
The data are not significantly skewed.
There are no outliers.
Thus, it can be concluded that the distribution is approximately
normally distributed.
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Chapter 6
The Normal Distribution

Section 6-4
Applications of the Normal Distribution

Section 6-4 Exercise #3

The average daily jail population in the United States


is 618,319. If the distribution is normal and the
standard deviation is 50,200, find the
probability that on a randomly selected
day, the jail population is
a. Greater than 700,000.
b. Between 500,000 and 600,000.

a. Greater than 700,000


700,000 618,319
= 1.63
z=
50,200

P(z > 1.63) = 0.5 0.4484


= 0.0516 or 5.16%

1.63

X
z=

b. Between 500,000 and 600,000.


500,000 618,319
= 2.36
z =
50,200
area = 0.4909

600,000 618,319
z=
= 0.36
50,200
area = 0.1406

X
z=

b. Between 500,000 and 600,000.


area = 0.4909

area = 0.1406

P( 2.36 < z < 0.36) = 0.4909 0.1406


= 0.3503 or 35.03%

2 .36 0.36

Section 6-4 Exercise #11

The average credit card debt for college seniors is


$3262. If the debt is normally distributed with a
standard deviation of $1100, find these probabilities.
a. That the senior owes at least $1000
b. That the senior owes more than $4000
c. That the senior owes between
$3000 and $4000

a. That the senior owes at least $1000

1000 3262
X
z=
= 2.06
z
=

1100
area = 0.4803
P(z 2.06) = 0.5 + 0.4803 = 0.9803 or 98.03%

0.9803 or 98.03%

2.06

b. That the senior owes more than $4000


4000 3262

X
z=
= 0.67
z=
1100

area = 0.2486

P(z > 0.67) = 0.5 0.2486 = 0.2514 or 25.14%


0.2514 or 25.14%

0.67

c. That the senior owes between $3000 and $4000.


3000 3262

X
= 0.24
z=
z=
1100

area = 0.0948

P( 0.24 < z < 0.67) = 0.0948 + 0.2486 = 0.3434 or 34.34%

0.3434 or 34.34%

0.24

0.67

Section 6-4 Exercise #27

An advertising company plans to market a product to


low-income families. A study states that for a particular
area, the average income per family is $24,596 and the
standard deviation is $6256. If the company plans to
target the bottom 18% of the families based on income,
find the cut off income. Assume the variable is normally
distributed.

The bottom 18% means that 32% of the area is between


z and 0. The corresponding z score will be 0.92 .
X = 0.92(6256) + 24,596
= $18,840.48

0.18

$18,840.48

0.32

$24,596

Chapter 6
The Normal Distribution

Section 6-5
The Central Limit Theorem

Section 6-5 Exercise #13

The average price of a pound of sliced bacon is $2.02.


Assume the standard deviation is $0.08. If a random
sample of 40 one-pound packages is selected, find the
probability the the mean of the sample will
be less than $2.00.

2.00 2.02
X
z=
=
= 1.58

0.08
n
40

area = 0.4429
P(z < 1.58) = 0.5 0.4429
= 0.0571or 5.71%

The average price of a pound of sliced bacon is $2.02.


Assume the standard deviation is $0.08. If a random
sample of 40 one-pound packages is selected, find the
probability the the mean of the sample will
be less than $2.00.

0.0571 or 5.71%

$2.00

$2.02

Section 6-5 Exercise #21

The average time it takes a group of adults to complete


a certain achievement test is 46.2 minutes. The
standard deviation is 8 minutes. Assume the variable
is normally distributed.
Average time = 46.2 minutes, Standard deviation = 8
minutes, variable is normally distributed.
a. Find the probability that a randomly
selected adult will complete the test
in less than 43 minutes.
b. Find the probability that, if
50 randomly selected adults take
the test, the mean time it takes the
group to complete the test will be
less than 43 minutes.

Average time = 46.2 minutes, Standard deviation = 8


minutes, variable is normally distributed.
c. Does it seem reasonable that an adult
would finish the test in less than
43 minutes? Explain.
d. Does it seem reasonable that the
mean of 50 adults could be less
than 43 minutes? Explain.

a. Find the probability that a randomly


selected adult will complete the test in
less than 43 minutes.

46.2
X
43
z= =
= 0.4
8
area = 0.1554
P(z < 0.4) = 0.5 0.1554 = 0.3446or 34.46%

0.3446or 34.46%

43

46.2

b. Find the probability that, if 50 randomly


selected adults take the test, the mean
time it takes the group to complete the
test will be less than 43 minutes.
z = 43 46.2 = 2.83
8
50
area = 0.4977
P(z < 2.83) = 0.5 0.4977 = 0.0023or 0.23%

0.0023or 0.23%

43

46.2

c. Does it seem reasonable that an


adult would finish the test in less
than 43 minutes? Explain.
Yes, since it is within one
standard deviation of the mean.
d. Does it seem reasonable that the
mean of 50 adults could be less
than 43 minutes? Explain.
It is very unlikely, since the
probability would be less than 1%.

Section 6-5 Exercise #23

The average cholesterol of a certain brand of eggs is


215 milligrams, and the standard deviation is 15
milligrams. Assume the variable is normally
distributed.
a. If a single egg is selected, find the
probability that the cholesterol
content will be greater than
220 milligrams.
b. If a sample of 25 eggs is selected,
find the probability that the mean
of the sample will be larger than
220 milligrams.

a. If a single egg is selected, find the


probability that the cholesterol content
will be greater than 220 milligrams.
220 215

X
=
0.33
z=
=
15

area = 0.1293
P(z > 0.33) = 0.5 0.1293 = 0.3707or 37.07%
0.3707or 37.07%

215

220

b. If a sample of 25 eggs is selected, find the probability that


the mean of the sample will be larger than 220 milligrams.
z=

220 215

15

= 1.67

25

area = 0.4525
P(z > 1.67) = 0.5 0.4525
= 0.0475 or 4.75%

215

220

Chapter 6
The Normal Distribution

Section 6-6
The Normal Approximation to
The Binomial Distribution

Section 6-6 Exercise #5

Two out of five adult smokers acquired the habit by age


14. If 400 smokers are randomly selected, find the
probability that 170 or more acquired the habit by
age 14.
2
p = 5 = 0.4

= 400(0.4) = 160

= (400)(0.4)(0.6) = 9.8
169.5 160
= 0.97
z=
9.8

area = 0.3340

P(X > 169.5) = 0.5 0.3340 = 0.1660

160

169.5

Section 6-6 Exercise #7

The percentage of Americans 25 years or older who


have at least some college education is 50.9%. In a
random sample of 300 Americans 25 years and older,
what is the probability that more than 175 have at least
some college education?
= 300(0.509) = 152.7
= (300)(0.509)(0.491) = 8.66
175.5 152.7
= 2.63 area = 0.4957
z=
8.66
P(X > 175.5) = 0.5 0.4957 = 0.0043

P(X > 175.5) = 0.5 0.4957 = 0.0043

152.7

175.5

Section 6-6 Exercise #11

Women comprise 83.3% of all elementary school


teachers. In a random sample of 300 elementary
school teachers, what is the probability that more than
50 are men?
= 300(0.167) = 50.1

= (300)(0.167)(0.833) = 6.46
50.5 50.1
= 0.06 area = 0.0239
z=
6.46
P(X > 50.5) = 0.5 0.0239 = 0.4761

P(X > 50.5) = 0.5 0.0239 = 0.4761

50.1

50.5

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