BIOSTAT LECTURE
Regardless of the values of the mean and
October 12, 2017
Continuous Probability Distribution
Instead of being discrete
Data is not pinpoint, exact
Examples: EXACT Birthday
As the number of data increase, the tendency is to
have a lot of rectangles in the probability
histogram, such that you will only have lines, and
have a bell-shaped curve
Normal Distribution
SK = 0, Normal curve
o Mean = Median
Properties of a Normal Curve
1. All normal curves are bell-shaped
The peak of the curve is on top of
the mean.
2. The curve is symmetrical with respect to
the vertical axis passing thru the mean
Divided into two equals parts, and
can exactly overlap when folded
Area on left = 50%; Area on right
= 50% (With respect to rule 4)
3. Mean = Median = Mode
4. The total area under the normal curve is
equal to 1.0 or 100%
Sample space least of all
possible outcomes
p(S) = 1.0 or 100% =
Summation of the
probability of possible
outcomes (A CONSTANT)
Sample space assumes a bell
shape therefore, p(S) = 1.0 =
100%
5. Tail of the curve has a tendency to
approach closer and closer to the x-axis
Asymptotic without actually
intersecting until infinity
6. Horizontal axis can be divided into three
via the standard deviation.
3 divisions from left to right = area
is already covered
Two parameters: Mean and
Standard Deviation
Divisions are dictated by the sum
of mean and standard deviation
on the right, and by the difference
of mean and standard deviation,
where SD is dependent on the
division line (-3, -2, -1, +1, +2, +3)
7.
SD, the area 1 SD around the mean is
68.26%; 2 SD around the mean is 95.46%,
and; 3 SD around the mean is 99.72%
Not all curves are of the same
height = Areas are still the same
Measure of Kurtosis
~0.3% lacking = The space
covering the tail side and x-axis
(0.15% each side)
Normal Curve
Cannot be used in all measurement
Data are not standardized
Standard Normal Curve
Regardless of the unit, it is already a standard
Plot on x-axis = standard scores
o Values of z-scores that do not have any
particular unit (cancelled out)
o (Raw score mean) / standard deviation
o Z = 0, if raw score = mean
o Z > 0, if raw score > mean
o Z < 0, if raw score < mean
Standard score measure the distance of a particular
raw scores in terms of standard deviation
o Z-score is +1 Distance from mean is
about one standard deviation right
o Z-score is -1 Distance from mean is
about one standard deviation left
o Proven by the formula of z-score
Examples (Use the Standard Normal Curve Areas Table)
1. Find the area under the normal curve bounded by
z = 0, and z = 1
P(0 x 1)
The area between z-scores 0 and 1 is what
we are finding
0.00 = 0.5000; 1.00 = 0.8413
0.8413 0.5000 = 0.3413
o 0.3413 is the area.
2. Find the area under the normal curve if the z-score
is less than or equal to 0 but greater than or equal
to 1.
P(-1 x 0)
Same with 1 since they are symmetrical
3. Find the area under the normal curve if the z-score
is less than or equal to -1 but greater than or equal
to 1.
P(-1 x 1)
The area is 0.6826, or by adding the area
from -1 to 0 and 0 to 1.
4. What is the probability if the z-score is greater than
or equal to 1.56?
1.56 = 0.4406
0.5000 0.4406 = 0.0594
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5. Find the area to the left of 3.09.
P(z 3.09)
3.09 = 0.4990
0.5000 + 0.4990 = 0.9990

6. Find the area under the normal curve to the right of

1.76.
P(z 1.76)
1.76 = 0.4608
0.5000 0.4608 = 0.0392

7. P(z -2.47)
-2.47 = 0.4932
0.5000 + 0.4932 = 0.9932

Prepared by:
Samuel Joshua C. Cao
3BMT UST
Imbued with Unending Grace!

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