GRADE 11
2nd SEMESTER
Learner
’s Hand
The Standard Normal Distribution
out
The standard normal distribution, which is denoted by Z, is also a normal distribution having a mean of 0 and a
standard deviation of 1. Since the normal distribution can have different values for its mean and standard deviation, it
can be standardized by setting the μ = 0 and the = 1.
This is for the purpose of simplifying the process in approximating areas for normal curves. As shown below is the
formula used to manually compute the approximate area.
However, this formula is seldom used because a table was created to summarize the approximate areas under the
standard normal curve and to further simplify the process. This table of probabilities is known as the z- table.
The Z - Table
Let us get a closer look at the z-table. The outermost column and row represent the z-values. The first two digits of the
z-value are found in the leftmost column and the last digit (hundredth place) is found on the first row.
Suppose the z-score is equal to 1.85, locate the first two digits 1.8 in the leftmost column and the last digit, .05, can be
located at the first row. Then find their intersection which gives the corresponding area. Therefore, given z = 1.85, the
area is equal to 0.9678.
The probability notation P(a < Z < b) indicates that the z-value is between a and b, P(Z > a) means z-value is
above a and P(Z < a) means z-value is below a. It would not matter whether we are considering P(Z < a) or P(Z ≤ a) or
P(Z > a) or P(Z ≥ a). To illustrate, let us consider these examples:
1. Find the proportion of the area between z = -1.25 and 2.19, this can be expressed as P(-1.25 < Z < 2.19), read as the
probability that Z is greater than -1.25 but less than 2.19.
Solution:
z = -1.25 has a corresponding area of 0.1056
z = 2.19 has a corresponding area of 0.9857
Subtract the corresponding areas to arrive at the answer.
Therefore, 0.9857 - 0.1056 = 0.8801 and the
P(-1.25 < Z < 2.19) = 0.8801 or 88.01%
The Z- Score
The z-score is an essential component in standard normal distribution. This allows us to describe a given set of data by
finding the z-scores. This leads us to a question of how z-scores are identified?
Given a normal random variable X with mean (μ) and standrad deviation (), each value of x of the variable can be
transformed into z-scores using the formula,
Where z = z- score or standard score
x = observed value
μ = mean
ᵟ = standard deviation
To illustrate how the value of x can be converted in z-score, here are some examples.
1. A random variable X has a mean of 6 and a standard deviation of 2. Find the corresponding z-score for x = 11.
2. The scores in the summative test of 11- STEM B are normally distributed with a mean of 65 and a standard deviation
of 12. Find the probability that some students got a score below 40.
Solution:
The Percentile
GRADE 11
2nd SEMESTER
Learner
’s
The Standard Normal Distribution
Activity
Name of the Learner: ___________________________________________________________________
Activity1
Sheet
Activity2
B. The results of a nationwide aptitude test in mathematics are normally
distributed with mean = 63 and standard deviation = 5. What is the 97.5th
percentile?
