Understanding
the Z-Scores
Lesson Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
• Relate a random variable distribution to a normal
variable distribution;
• Understand the concept of the z-score;
• Convert a random variable to a standard normal
variable and vice-versa; and
• Solve problem involving random and normal
variables.
Content
• Entry Card: Normal Curve
• Exploring the z-score
• Example 1: Reading Scores
• Example 2: Score in PE
• Example 3: Scores in a Science Test
• Seatwork
• Enrichment
• Assessment
Entry Card
Statement True False
1. The normal curve is a bell-shaped probability distribution.
2. The tails of the curve touches the baseline so that the curve can
cover 100% of the area under it.
3. The probability that a random score occur between z = 1 and z = 0
is .6826.
4. The skewness of the normal curve is 0.
5. The probability that a random score occur between z = 1 and z = 0
is .8413.
Exploring the z-score
The z-score
the areas under the normal curve are
given in terms of z-value or scores. Either
the z-score locates X within a sample or
within a population.
The formula in calculating z is:
(z-score for population data)
(z-score for sample data)
Where: X = given measurement
= population mean
= population standard deviation
= sample mean
s = sample standard deviation
Example 1: Reading Scores
Given the mean, = 50 and the standard
deviation, = 4 of a population of Reading
scores. Find the z-value that corresponds to
a score X = 58.
Steps Solution
1. Use the computing formula for
finding z-scores of population
data.
2. Check the given values. Since
these are population values, the
z-score locates X within a
population.
3. Substitute the given values in the
computing formula.
4. Compute the z-value Thus, the z-value that
corresponds to the raw score
58 is 2 in a population
distribution.
Normal Curve showing z-score Raw Scores
Example 2: Score in PE
Locate the z-value that corresponds to a
PE score of 39 given that = 45 and = 6.
Steps Solution
1. Use the computing formula for
finding z-scores of population
data.
2. Check the given values. Since
these are population values, the
z-score locates X within a
population.
3. Substitute the given values in the
computing formula.
4. Compute the z-value Thus, the z-value that
corresponds to the raw score
39 is -1 in a population
distribution.
With respect to the mean, the score 39
is below the population mean. We can also
say that the score 39 is below average.
Example 3: Scores in
Science
Given sample mean, = 26 and the
sample standard deviation, s = 4 of a
population in a science test. Find the z-value
that corresponds to a score X = 20.
Steps Solution
1. Use the computing formula for
finding z-scores of sample data.
2. Check the given values. Since
these are population values, the
z-score locates X within a
population.
3. Substitute the given values in the
computing formula.
4. Compute the z-value
The corresponding z-score is
-1.5 to the left of the mean.
Seatwork
State whether the z-score locates the raw score X
within a sample space or within a population, and
solve for the z-score.
Seatwork
State whether the z-score locates the raw score X
within a sample space or within a population, and
solve for the z-score.
𝑋̄ = 55, 𝑠 = 7, 𝑋 = 63
𝜇 = 90, 𝜎 = 12, 𝑋 = 78
1.
𝑋̄ = 31, 𝑠 = 9, 𝑋 = 40
2.
𝜇 = 60, 𝜎 = 20, 𝑋 = 50
3.
𝑋̄ = 45, 𝑠 = 5, 𝑋 = 47
4.
5.
Enrichment
I. Given = 62 and s = 8. Find the z-score value that
corresponds to each of the following scores up to two
decimal places.
1. X = 70
2. X = 78
3. X = 82
4. X = 50
5. X = 42
Enrichment
II. Given = 62 and s = 8, give the values of X under the
normal distribution.
