Statistics for Decision Makers - 07.01 - Normal Distributions

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title
07.01 - Normal Distributions
author
Bernard Szlachta (NobleProg Ltd) bs@nobleprog.co.uk

Normal Distributions。

  • Most of the statistical analyses presented are based on the bell-shaped or normal distribution
  • We learn how to calculate probabilities based on the normal distribution
  • A frequently used normal distribution is called the Standard Normal distribution (AKA Gauss Distribution)
  • The binomial distribution can be approximated by a normal distribution
  • A binomial distribution is used for discrete variables
  • A normal distribution is for continuous variables

Bell Curve。

  • "Gaussian curve" (μ = 0, σ = 1)
  • Although Gauss played an important role in its history, de Movire first discovered the normal distribution
  • There is no single "the normal distribution" since there are many normal distributions which differ in their means and standard deviations
  • Normal distributions can differ in their means and in their standard deviations
  • The distributions below, as well as all other normal distributions, are symmetric with relatively more values at the centre of the distribution and relatively few in the tails
=NORMDIST(1,0,1,FALSE) = 0.2419707245
ClipCapIt-140602-143925.PNG

The density of the normal distribution。

ClipCapIt-140602-141815.PNG
  • The density of the normal distribution (the height for a given value on the x axis) is shown above
  • The parameters μ and σ are the mean and standard deviation, respectively, and define the normal distribution
  • The symbol e is the base of the natural logarithm and π is the constant pi
  • Since this is a non-mathematical treatment of statistics, do not worry if this expression confuses you

Normal Cumulative Distribution。

ClipCapIt-140602-143745.PNG
=NORMDIST(1,0,1,true) = 0.8413447461

Features of Normal Distributions。

Standard deviation diagram.svg

  1. Normal distributions are symmetric around their mean
  2. The mean, median, and mode of a normal distribution are equal
  3. The area under the normal curve is equal to 1.0
  4. Normal distributions are denser in the center and less dense in the tails
  5. Normal distributions are defined by two parameters, the mean (μ) and the standard deviation (σ)
  6. 68% of the area of a normal distribution is within one standard deviation of the mean
  7. Approximately 95% of the area of a normal distribution is within two standard deviations of the mean

Quiz。

Please find the quiz here

Quiz

1 Which are other names for the normal distribution? Select all that apply.

Typical curve
Gaussian curve
Regular distribution
Galileo curve
Bell-shaped curve
Laplace's distribution

Answer >>

Gaussian curve, Bell-shaped curve


2 Select all of the statements that are true about normal distributions.

A:They are symmetric around their mean
B:The mean, median, and mode are equal
C:They are defined by their mean and skew
D:The area under the normal curve is equal to 1.0
E:They have high density in their tails
F:They are discrete distributions

Answer >>

A,B,D


3 If you scored two standard deviations above the mean, assuming that the test scores are normally distributed, what percentile are you in?

Standard deviation diagram.svg

Answer >>

97.8%