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Normal Distribution - Calculations Simplified Revision Notes

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4.3.2 Normal Distribution - Calculations

Calculating Probabilities

infoNote

Example: XN(30,9)X \sim N(30, 9)

Find P(X>30)P(X > 30).


Step 1: Sketch

  • Sketch a normal distribution curve centered at 30.
  • The probability is represented by the area under the curve to the right of 30.

Step 2: Use the calculator

  • Access the calculator's distribution functions.

  • Choose "Normal CD" for cumulative distribution.

  • Input μ\mu (mean), σ\sigma (standard deviation), and bounds:

  • Lower bound: 30

  • Upper bound: 999999 (as an approximation of infinity)

  • Input σ\sigma (not σ2\sigma^2).


Step 3: Find the result

  • The probability, PP, is calculated as 0.5.

Notes

  • P(Xk)P(X>k)P(X \geq k) \equiv P(X > k) because the latter excludes an infinitely thin strip at x=kx = k, but the area of such a strip is 0.
  • P(Xμ)=0.5P(X \geq \mu) = 0.5.
  • Because of symmetry, median = mean.

infoNote

Example: XN(20,22)X \sim N(20, 2^2)

Questions

a) P(X>22)P(X > 22)

b) P(X<18)P(X < 18)

c) P(16X18)P(16 \leq X \leq 18)


(a) Find P(X>22)P(X > 22)

  • Use Normal CD with Lower: 22, Upper: 999999, and Standard Deviation: 2.

  • P=P = 0.1586552539 (b) Find P(X<18)P(X < 18):

  • Use Normal CD with Lower: -999999, Upper: 18, and Standard Deviation: 2.

  • P=P = 0.1586552539 (c) Find P(16X18)P(16 \leq X \leq 18):

  • Use Normal CD with Lower: 16, Upper: 18, and Standard Deviation: 2.

  • P=P = 0.1359051219


infoNote

Example: The heights of a large group of women are normally distributed with a mean of 165 cm and a standard deviation of 3.5 cm. A woman is selected at random from this group.

Questions:

a) Find the probability that she is shorter than 160 cm.

b) Steven is looking for a woman whose height is between 168 cm and 174 cm for a part in his next film. Find the proportion of women from this group who meet Steven's criteria.

c) A sample of 20 women is taken from the group. Find the probability that at least 5 of the women meet Steven's criteria.


a) Find the probability that she is shorter than 160 cm.

  • Use Normal CD with Lower: -999999, Upper: 160, Mean: 165, and Standard Deviation: 3.5.

  • P=P = 0.07656372552

  • (Also, we could interpret this as meaning 7.66% of women are shorter than 160 cm)


b) Steven is looking for a woman whose height is between 168 cm and 174 cm for a part in his next film. Find the proportion of women from this group who meet Steven's criteria.

  • Use Normal CD with Lower: 168, Upper: 174, Mean: 165, and Standard Deviation: 3.5.

  • P=P = 0.1906189738


c) A sample of 20 women is taken from the group. Find the probability that at least 5 of the women meet Steven's criteria.

  • XB(20,0.1906)X \sim B(20, 0.1906)
  • P(X5)=1P(X4)P(X \geq 5) = 1 - P(X \leq 4)
  • P(X4)=P(X \leq 4) = 0.6703
  • P(X5)=10.6703=P(X \geq 5) = 1 - 0.6703 = 0.3296
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