Using the empirical rule, you can say that the distribution of the grades of the

Senior High School in Statistics and Probability are distributed normally because the
shape of the graph is bell-shaped and symmetric about its mean, which is 87. This also
indicates that most of the students’ grades fall close to the mean and fewer of them are
far below and/or above the mean
It can summarize the distribution in the following percentage:
• 68% of data lies within 1 standard deviation from the mean have a
grade of 83 to 91
• 95% of data lies within 2 standard deviations from the mean have a
grade of 79 to 95
• 99.70% of data lies within 3 standard deviations from the mean have a
grade of 83 to 9 Illustrative Example 1:
The scores of the Senior High School students in their Statistics and Probability
quarterly examination are normally distributed with a mean of 35 and a standard
deviation of 5.

Answer the following questions:

a. What percent of the scores are between 30 to 40?
b. What scores fall within 95% of the distribution?
Solution:
 Draw a standard normal curve and plot the mean at the center. Then, add the
standard deviation to the mean once and mark it to the right of the mean. Add twice
the standard deviation to the mean and put it to the right of the first sum. Then, add
thrice the standard deviation to the mean and mark it to the right of the second sum.
Do the same to the left. This time, instead of adding, subtract the standard deviation
from the mean. An illustration is provided below in figure 7:

Fig. 7: Distribution of Scores of Senior High School Students Answer:

a. The scores 30 to 40 falls within the first standard deviation from the
mean. Therefore, the scores that fall between 30 and 40 is approximately
68% of the distribution.
b. Since 95% of the distribution lies within 2 standard deviations from the
mean, then the scores corresponding to this area of the distribution are
scores from 25 up to 45.
c. Illustrative Example 2:
d. The district nurse of Candelaria East needs to measure the BMI (Body Mass Index) of
the Alternative Learning System students. She found out that the heights of male students
are normally distributed with a mean of 160 cm and a standard deviation of 7 cm. Find the
percentage of male students whose height is within 153 cm to 174 cm.
e.

f.
g. Fig. 8: Distribution of BMI of the Alternative Learning System Students
h. Solution: The mean of this problem is 160, it is subtracted by 7 to the left (e.g. 160 -7 = 153; 153-7 = 146; 146 – 7 =
139) and add 7 to the right. (e.g. 160 + 7 = 167; 167 + 7 = 174 + 7 = 181).
 i. As stated in figure 8, 153 cm falls at 1 standard deviation from the mean to the left
and the height of 174 cm falls at 2 standard deviations from the mean to the right.
Therefore, it covers the whole 68% and 13.5%. of the distribution and the sum of it is 81.5%
j. ANSWER: 81.5% of the male students have a height between 153 cm to 174 cm.

Identifying Regions Under Normal Curve

Corresponds to Different Standard Normal Values
In the previous module, we discussed the properties of the normal probability
distribution, and one of the things that you learned is that the total area under the
curve is equal to one. Since the standard normal distribution is defined as normally
distributed random variable having a mean of zero ( µ= 0 ) and standard deviation of
one (ơ = 1), the fifty (50) percent of the region under the curve is below the mean and
the other 50% is above the mean. Figure 1, as shown below illustrate the standard
normal curve.

Figure 1: Standard Normal Curve

You can easily identify the area of the regions under the normal curve by using
the Table of Areas under the Normal Curve which is also known as z-Table (see
attachment at the last page of this module). This table gives the area of any value of z
from -3.99 to 3.99. The value from this table will describe the area of the specific region
of the curve to the left of the given z-value.
How to use the Table of Areas under the Normal Curve?
Example: Find the area to the left of -1.69
Solution: First, split the given z-value into hundredths. We can find the whole
number and the tenths digit (-1.6) at the left side of the table while the hundredths
(0.09) located at the uppermost of the table. Then the intersection of these numbers
will be the area of the normal curve to the left of the z-value.

Illustration:
 Answer: The area to the left of z= -1.69 is 0.0455.
STEPS ON HOW TO FIND THE AREA THAT CORRESPONDS TO Z –VALUE
1.Draw/sketch a normal curve and locate the given z-value on the normal curve
2.Shade the region of the curve according to the condition of z-value whether it
is below, above, or between.
3.Use the table of the area under the normal curve to find the corresponding
area.
4.Choose the appropriate operation based on step 2 and 3
4.1. When the z-value is to the left or any related terms (e.g. below,
less than) just write the value we obtained in step 3
4.2. When the z-value is to the right or any related terms (e.g. above,
greater than), subtract 1 by the obtained value in step 3
4.3. When the shaded region is in between of the two z-value,
subtract the biggest by the smallest value obtained in step 3
5.Label the shaded region and draw a conclusion Example 1: Find the area that
corresponds below z = -1.35 Solution:
Step 1. Draw/sketch a normal curve and locate the given z-value.
 Step 2: Shade the region of the curve according to the condition of z-value
whether it is below, above, or between.

Step 3. Use the table of the area under the normal curve to find the
corresponding area

The intersection between -1.3 and 0.05 is 0.0885

Step 4. Choose the appropriate operation based on step 2 and 3
4.1 When the z-value is to the left or any related terms (e.g. below, less
than) just write the value we obtained in step 3
Since the shaded region of the curve is to the left of the z= -1.35
and the intersection between -1.3 and 0.05 is 0.0885. Therefore,
the area of the shaded region is 0.0885
Step 5. Label the shaded region and draw a conclusion.

Therefore, the area that corresponds below z = -1.35 is 0.0885.

Example 2: Find the area to the right of z = -1.35

 Step 3. The intersection between -1.3 and 0.05 is 0.0885
Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 4. Since the shaded region is to the right of z-value, we will subtract
0.0885 from 1. The difference is 0.9915

Step 5

Therefore, the area to the right of z = 1.35 is 0.9915.

Example 3: Find the area between z = -1.30 and z = 2 Step1:

 Step 2:

Step 3. The value that corresponds to z= 1.3 is 0.0968 and z= 2 is

0.4772.
Step 4. Since the shaded region is within the two z-value, subtract 0.4772
by 0.0968. The difference is 0.8804
Step 5 Therefore, the area between z = -1.30 and z = 2 is 0.8804.

Converting a Normal Random

Variable to a Standard Normal
Variable and Vice-versa
In solving real-life problems involving the normal curve, it is particularly
important to convert a random variable x to a standard normal variable or z-score. This
procedure is known as “standardizing” or “standardization” of a random variable,
where a standardized value is called a z-score. A z-score is a measure of the number of
standard deviations (σ) a particular data value is away from the mean (μ).
Suppose your score on a test in Probability and Statistics is 39 and the scores
are normally distributed with a mean of 33 and standard deviation of 3, then your
score is exactly 2 standard deviations above the mean. If you scored 30, then it is
exactly 1 standard deviation below the mean. All values that are above the mean have
positive z-scores and all values that are below the mean have negative z-scores. If you
obtained a z-score of -3, this means that your score is 3 standard deviations below the
mean, that is, 33 – 3(3) = 33 – 9 = 24.
Given any value x from a normal distribution with mean μ and standard
deviation σ, to convert x to a z-score (standard normal score), you need to; (a) Subtract
the mean μ from x.
(b) Divide this quantity, 𝑥 – 𝜇, by the standard deviation σ.
The formula used in converting a random variable x to a standard normal
variable z is:

where: 𝑧 – standard normal score or z – score

𝑥 – any data value in a normal distribution
𝜇 - mean
𝜎 - standard deviation

Example 1.
Suppose IQ scores are normally distributed with a mean of 100 and standard
deviation of 10. If your IQ is 85, what is your z-score? (Round off your answer to the
nearest hundredths) Solution:
The z-score can be computed using the formula;

Example 2.
On a nationwide placement test that is normally distributed, the mean was 125
and standard deviation was 15. If you scored 149, what was your z-score? (Round off
your answer to the nearest hundredths) Solution:
Using the formula

Example 3.
The heights of teachers in Sta. Catalina National High School are normally
distributed with a mean of 150 cm and standard deviation of 15 cm. The height of Sir
Victor has a z-score of 3.25. What is the actual height of Sir Victor? (Round off your
answer to the nearest hundredths) Solution:
In this example, z-score is given while the normal random variable is unknown. To
solve for the normal random variable x, multiply the z-score (z) by the standard
deviation σ, then add the mean μ.
Therefore;
𝑥 = 𝑧𝜎 + 𝜇
= 3.25(15 cm) + 150 cm
= 48.75 cm + 150 cm
𝑥 = 198.75 𝑐𝑚
Example 4.
 The time it takes for a cell to divide is normally distributed with an average of
60 minutes and standard deviation of 5 minutes. How long will it take for a given cell
to divide if its “mitosis” has a z-score of -1.35?
Solution:
𝑥 = 𝑧𝜎 + 𝜇
= -1.35(5 min) + 60 min
= -6.75 min + 60 min
𝒙 = 𝟓𝟑. 𝟐𝟓 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔
Example 5.
Suppose you have the population values 40 and 70 and that their corresponding
z – scores are -1 and 2, respectively.
1. Is it possible to determine the population’s mean and
standard deviation?
2. If so, what are these values? Solution:
To begin, let us first identify the given. Let
𝑥1 = 40 𝑥2 = 70
𝑧1 = −2 𝑥2 = 1

Use these given and substitute to the formula (12-2), we have 𝑥1

= 𝑧1𝜎 + 𝜇 𝑥2 = 𝑧2𝜎 + 𝜇
40 = −2𝜎 + 𝜇 70 = 1𝜎 + 𝜇
Note: In this example, we do not have 𝜎1 and 𝜎2, and 𝜇1 and 𝜇2 since we are describing a
single population. Thus, 𝜎1 = 𝜎2 = 𝜎 and 𝜇1 = 𝜇2 = 𝜇.
Furthermore, we need to review our algebra specifically on systems of linear equation.
So,
40 = −2𝜎 + 𝜇 equation 1
equation 2
Subtract equation 1 from equation 2, we have
40 = −2𝜎 + 𝜇 equation 1
70 = 1𝜎 + 𝜇 equation 2

30 = 3𝜎 the difference

1 multiply by
3
10 = 𝜎 simplify
The standard deviation of the population is 10. To obtain the mean, substitute it to
either equation 1 or 2.
40 = −2𝜎 + 𝜇 ⇒ 40 = −2(10) + 𝜇 ⇒ 60 = 𝜇
70 = 1𝜎 + 𝜇 ⇒ 70 = 1(10) + 𝜇 ⇒ 60 = 𝜇
Both agrees that the mean of the population is 60.
Therefore,
1. It is possible to determine the population’s mean and standard
deviation given only the raw score (x) and its corresponding standard score
(z).
2. The mean and standard deviation of the population is 60 and 10,
respectively.
 Computing Probabilities and
Percentiles Using the Standard
Normal Table
A normal distribution curve can be used as a probability distribution curve for
normally distributed variables. The area under the standard normal distribution curve
can also be thought of as a probability. That is, if it's possible to select any value at
random, the probability of choosing one, say, below 1.45 would be the same as the area
under the curve at the left of 1.45. In this case, the area is 0.9265. Therefore, the
probability of randomly selecting a value below of 1.45 is 0.9265 or 92.65%. The
problems involving probabilities and percentiles are solved in the same manner as
finding the areas under a normal curve.
In finding probabilities, the following notations will be used:
(a) – probability at the left of
(b) – probability at the right of
(c) – the probability of that is in between two other
values, say and
(d) – the probability of is in the opposite direction of
two values, say and
(e) – probability at the left of a normal random variable
(f) – probability at the right of a normal random variable
(g) – the probability of a normal random variable that is in
between two other normal random variables, say and .
(h) – the probability of is in the opposite direction of
two values, say and Example 1.
Find the probabilities for each of the following.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d) )
Solution:
(a) The probability means to find the area under the normal
curve at the left of . From the table, find the intersection on row 1.3
and column 0.02. Thus, the probability is 0.9066 or 90.66%.

𝑃(𝑍 <is−1.05)
(b) The probability the same as the area under the normal curve at the
left of . From the table, −1.05
𝑧 = the area is 0.1469. Thus, the probability is 0.1469
or 14.69%.
 (c) The probability 𝑃(−0.75 < 𝑍 < 1.56) is the same as the area under the
normal curve between 𝑧 values -0.75 and 1.56. To get the area, subtract the
area of 𝑧 = −0.75 from the area of 𝑧 = 1.56. Thus, 𝑃(−0.75 < 𝑍 < 1.56) = 𝑃(𝑍 <
1.56)– 𝑃(𝑍 < −0.75) = 0.9406 – 0.2266 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟏𝟒𝟎 𝑜𝑟 𝟕𝟏. 𝟒𝟎%.

(d) The probability 𝑃(𝑍 > −0.88) is the same as the area under the normal
curve at the right of 𝑧 = −0.88. To get the area, subtract the area of 𝑧 =
−0.88 from 1. Thus, 𝑃(𝑍 > −0.88) = 1 – 𝑃(𝑍 < −0.88) = 1 – 0.1894 =
𝟎. 𝟖𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑜𝑟 𝟖𝟏. 𝟎𝟔%.

Example 2.
Let 𝑋 be a normal random variable with mean 𝜇 = 15 and standard deviation 𝜎 =
3. Find the probabilities of the following:
(a) 𝑃(𝑋 < 19)
(b) 𝑃(10 < 𝑋 < 19) Solution:
(a) To find the probability, convert the normal random variable 19 to a z-
score.
Thus, .
From the table, the probability at the left of 𝑧 = 1.33 is equal to 0.9082 or
90.82%.
(b) To find the probability, convert the normal random variables 10 and 19
to z values. Thus,
1.33) = 𝑃(𝑍 < 1.33) – 𝑃(𝑍 < −1.67). From the table, we have
0.9082 – 0.0475 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟔𝟎𝟕 or 𝟖𝟔. 𝟎𝟕%.
These probabilities can also be applied to real-life problems.
Example 3.
The mean number of hours a Filipino worker spends on the computer is 3.1 hours per
workday. Suppose the spending time is normally distributed with a standard deviation
of 0.5 hour, find the percentage of workers who spend less than 3.5 hours on the
computer assuming that the variable is normally distributed. Solution:
 The percentage of workers who spend less than 3.5 hours is the same as the
area under the normal curve at the left of a normal random variable of 3.5 hours.
Convert 3.5 to a z value. That is, z = = 0.80. From the table, the area at the left of
z = 0.8 is 0.7881. Thus, the percentage of workers who spend less than 3.5 hours is
78.81%.

Example 4.
Each month, a Filipino household generates an average of 28 pounds of newspaper for
garbage or recycling. Assume that the distribution is normal with a standard deviation
of 2 pounds. If a household is selected at random, find the probability of its generating
a. between 27 and 31 pounds per month.
b. more than 30.2 pounds per month.
Solution:
(a) The probability of generating between 27 and 31 pounds is 𝑃(27 < 𝑋 <
31). This is equal to
1.50) – 𝑃(𝑍 < −0.5) = 0.9332 – 0.3085 = 0.6247. Thus, the probability of
generating between 27 and 31 pounds of newspaper per month is 0.6247 or

62.47%.

(b) The probability of generating more than 30.2 pounds per month is
equivalent to 𝑃(𝑋 > 30.2) which is equal to 1 – 𝑃(𝑋 < 30.2) since it is righttailed.

= 0.1357. Thus, the probability of generating more than 30.2 pounds of

newspaper per month is 0.1357 or 13.57%.
Example 5.
The Mauban Automobile Association reports that the average time it takes to respond
to an emergency call is 35 minutes. Assume the variable is approximately normal and
the standard deviation is 5.5 minutes. If 200 calls are randomly selected,
approximately how many were responded in less than 25 minutes?
Solution:
The number of calls responded in less than 25 minutes is equal to the percentage of
200 calls which were responded in less than 25 minutes. First, find
. From the table, this is equal
to 0.0344. Thus, there are (0.0344)(200) = 6.88 or approximately 7 calls were
responded in less than 25 minutes.

Example 6.
To help students improve their reading, Mauban south district decides to implement a
reading program. It is to be administered to the bottom 5% of the students in the
district, based on the scores of a reading achievement test which are normally
distributed. If the average score for the students in the district is 122.6 and the
standard deviation is 18, find the cut-off score that will make a student eligible for the
program.
Solution:
The problem is asking for a
normal random variable that
corresponds to a z value and
occupying an area of 5% or 0.05
from the left under the normal
curve. To find this normal
random variable which is the cut-
off score that will make a student
eligible for the reading program,
look for the 𝑧 value on the table
corresponding to an area of 0.05 and that is equal to −1.645. Then, convert this 𝑧 value
to a normal random variable 𝑥, that is, 𝑥 = 𝑧𝜎 + 𝜇 = (−1.645)(18) + 122.6 = −29.61 + 122.6
= 92.99 ≈ 93. Therefore, a student will be eligible in the reading program if he scored 93
and below.

Example 7.
To pass in the accreditation and
equivalency (A&E) test, ALS students must
score in the top 15% in general ability
tests. The test has a mean of 200 and a
standard deviation of 20. Find the lowest
possible score to pass the test assuming
the test scores are normally distributed.
Solution:
The lowest possible score is the normal random variable corresponding to a 𝑧 value
occupying an area of 0.15 from the right of the normal curve. To solve for the required
variable, given that P(Z > z) = 0.15
NOTE: Remember 𝑃(𝑍 < 𝑧) + 𝑃(𝑍 > 𝑧) = 1
𝑃(𝑍 > 𝑧) = 0.15
1 – 𝑃(𝑍 > 𝑧) = 1 – 0.15
1 – 𝑃(𝑍 > 𝑧) = 1 – 0.15 since it is right tailed
= 0.85
from the table, look for the z value corresponding to this area.
Thus, 𝑧 = 1.03 then convert this to a normal random variable x 𝑥 = 𝑧𝜎
+ 𝜇 = (1.03)(20) + 200 = 220.6 ≈ 221

Therefore, the lowest possible score to pass the test is 221.