Theoretical Distributions 2
Theoretical Distributions 2
Theoretical Distributions 2
This capsule is in continuation to the previous edition featured in November 2021. Further here presented properties
of Normal Distribution and their applications. Here an attempt is made to the enable the students to understand the
concepts Binomial, Poisson and Normal distribution with the help of examples.
Some important points relating to normal distribution are listed (d) The normal distribution is known as biparametric
below: distribution as it is characterised by two parameters µ
(a) The name Normal Distribution has its origin some two hundred and σ2. Once the two parameters are known, the normal
years back as the then mathematician were in search for a distribution is completely specified.
normal model that can describe the probability distribution of
most of the continuous random variables.
(b) If we plot the probability function y = f (x), then the curve, Properties of Normal Distribution
known as probability curve, takes the following shape: 1. Since π = 22/7 , e–θ = 1 / eθ > 0, whatever θ may be,
it follows that f (x) 0 for every x.
It can be shown that
2. The mean of the normal distribution is given by µ. Further, since
the distribution is symmetrical about x = µ, it follows that the
mean, median and mode of a normal distribution coincide, all
being equal to µ.
3. The standard deviation of the normal distribution is given by
Mean deviation of normal distribution is
The first and third quartiles are Q1 = μ– 0.675 σ and Q3 = μ+
0.675 σ
-∞ x=µ ∞ so that, quartile deviation = 0.675 σ
4. The normal distribution is symmetrical about x =μ. As such,
Mean = Median = Mode its skewness is zero i.e. the normal curve is neither inclined
move towards the right (negatively skewed) nor towards the
Showing Normal Probability Curve. A quick look at figure reveals left (positively skewed).
that the normal curve is bell shaped and has one peak, which 5. The normal curve y = f (x) has two points of inflexion to be
implies that the normal distribution has one unique mode. The given by x = μ – σ and
line drawn through x = µ has divided the normal curve into two x = μ + σ i.e. at these two points, the normal curve changes its
parts which are equal in all respect. Such a curve is known as curvature from concave to convex and from convex to concave.
symmetrical curve and the corresponding distribution is known 6. If x ~ N (μ, σ2 ) then z = x – µ/σ ~ N (0, 1), z is known as
as symmetrical distribution. Thus, we find that the normal standardised normal variate or normal deviate.
distribution is symmetrical about x = µ. It may also be noted that We also have P (z ≤ k ) = φ (k) The values of φ(k) for different k
the binomial distribution is also symmetrical about p = 0.5. We next are given in a table known as “Biometrika.”
note that the two tails of the normal curve extend indefinitely on 7. Area under the normal curve is shown in the following figure:
both sides of the curve and both the left and right tails never touch
the horizontal axis. The total area of the normal curve or for that
any probability curve is taken to be unity i.e. one. Since the vertical
line drawn through x = µ divides the curve into two equal halves, it
automatically follows that,
The area between – ∞ to µ= the area between μ to ∞ = 0.5
When the mean is zero, we have
the area between – ∞ to 0 = the area between 0 to ∞ = 0.5