Example: Constructing a Normal Curve

The time it takes to complete a particular task (x) is normally distributed with a mean of
45 minutes with a standard deviation of 3 minutes.
Construct a graphicl model of the distribution of time.

x f(x) The Table

35.00 0.0000 To draw a picture of the curve, we need to construct a table with
35.25 0.0000 values of x and corresponding values for f(x).
35.50 0.0000 1 A distribution with a mean of 45 and standard deviation of 3
35.75 0.0000 will take on values between 35 and 55 minutes so we set
36.00 0.0001 up column A with values that range from 35 to 55. I have
36.25 0.0001 chosen to use increments of 0.25; other values will work
36.50 0.0001 as well. (Click on the cell to see how the list can be generated
36.75 0.0002 using a formula and 'Paste Down.'
37.00 0.0003
37.25 0.0005 2 To find the corresponding values of y, you could solve a very
37.50 0.0007 complicated equation, but Excel has a function that will find
37.75 0.0010 the required value. Use the 'Paste Function' buttion on the menu
38.00 0.0014 bar and find the function named:
38.25 0.0020 NORMDIST
38.50 0.0027 In this box- for the first entry in A8 - insert the following
38.75 0.0037
39.00 0.0051 x Highlight A8
39.25 0.0068 Mean 45
39.50 0.0089 Standard Deviation 3
39.75 0.0117 Note if the function is cumulative 0 [because we do
40.00 0.0150 not want a cumulative
40.25 0.0191 value}
40.50 0.0240
40.75 0.0298 Paste Down so that each x has a corresponding value for f(x).
41.00 0.0365
41.25 0.0442
41.50 0.0529 The Graph
41.75 0.0625 Before clicking on the Chart Wizzard,
42.00 0.0729 Highlight the column of values in column B beginning with B8.
42.25 0.0840 Step 1 Chart Type Area - first diagram
42.50 0.0956
42.75 0.1075 Step 2 Chart Source Data Verify the data range is B8:B88
43.00 0.1194 Series Tab x Axis Label: Select A8:A88
43.25 0.1310
43.50 0.1420 Step 3 Chart Options Specify titles;
43.75 0.1520 Deselect legend under Legend Tab.
44.00 0.1606
44.25 0.1677 Step 4 Format One way is to get the appropriate
44.50 0.1730 format menu is to right click on the
44.75 0.1762 area that you wish to format.
45.00 0.1773 Some areas of concern that you should address are:
45.25 0.1762 Font and decimal places on the axis
45.50 0.1730 Size of the title and axis labels
45.75 0.1677 Background color
46.00 0.1606 Gridlines

Goodson/TMTH 3360 3360n 1

46.25 0.1520
46.50 0.1420
46.75 0.1310
47.00 0.1194 Normal Distribution
47.25 0.1075 m = 45, s=3
47.50 0.0956
47.75 0.0840 0.2000
48.00 0.0729 0.1800
48.25 0.0625 0.1600
48.50 0.0529 0.1400
48.75 0.0442
f(x) 0.1200
49.00 0.0365 0.1000
49.25 0.0298 0.0800
49.50 0.0240
0.0600
49.75 0.0191
0.0400
50.00 0.0150
0.0200
50.25 0.0117
50.50 0.0089 0.0000

50.75 0.0068 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
.0 . 0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 . 0 .0 . 0 .0 .0 .0 .0 . 0 .0 . 0 . 0 .0
35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 4 7 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55
51.00 0.0051
x
51.25 0.0037
51.50 0.0027
51.75 0.0020
52.00 0.0014
52.25 0.0010
52.50 0.0007
52.75 0.0005
53.00 0.0003
53.25 0.0002
53.50 0.0001
53.75 0.0001
54.00 0.0001
54.25 0.0000
54.50 0.0000
54.75 0.0000
55.00 0.0000

Goodson/TMTH 3360 3360n 2

The Normal Distribution: A Family of Curves

Problem 1

Use the chart wizard to draw three normal curves on one graph.
The process will be the same as was demonstrated on the sheet,
Example: Constructing a Normal Curve [ www.uh.edu/~tech132/3360n.xls ]
except I found it is best to use 'Area with a 3D visual effect.'
It is the forth box on the Chart Wizard.
Note: Before clicking on the Chart Wizard, select all 3 columns of values for f(x).

The curves should be the following:

1 A normal curve with mean of 30 and a standard deviation of 2
2 A normal curve with mean of 30 and a standard deviation of 1
3 A normal curve with mean of 35 and a standard deviation of 1

What is the effect of changing the mean? How do curves 2 and 3 differ?
What is the effect of changing the standard deviation? How do curves 2 and 1 differ?
Problem 2
The amount of instant coffee that is put into a 6 oz jar has a normal distribution with a
standard deviation of 0.03. oz.

Complete the table for additional values of x.

What proportion of the jar contain:

a) less than 6.06 oz?
b) less than 6 oz?
c) more than 6.09 oz?

x f(x) P(X<x)
5.90 0.0514 0.000
5.91 0.1477 0.001
5.92
5.93
5.94
5.95
5.96
5.97
5.98
5.99
6.00
6.01