Download z-score - cloudfront.net

5/3/2016
Students will be able to:
find the z-scores of a data set
z-scores
When a set of data is normally
distributed, we can standardize
each score by converting it into a
z-score.
z-scores can compare data values
measured on different scales.
A z-score reflects how many
standard deviations above or below
the mean.
The z-score is positive if the
data value lies above the mean
and negative if it’s below the
mean.
z-score formula
z
x

x : each value of the data set,
 :the mean
:the standard deviation

Example 1:
Suppose SAT scores are normally
distributed with a mean of 500 and a
standard deviation of 100.
If a student scores a 700, what would
be her z-score?
Suppose SAT scores among college students
are normally distributed with a mean of 500
and a standard deviation of 100. If a student
scores a 700, what would be her z-score?
700  500
z
2
100
Her z-score would be 2 which
means her score is two
standard deviations above the
mean.
Example 2:
• A set of math test scores has a mean of
70 and a standard deviation of 8.
• A set of English test scores has a mean
of 74 and a standard deviation of 16.
For which test would a score of 78
have a higher standing?
A set of math test scores has a mean of 70 and a standard
deviation of 8.
A set of English test scores has a mean of 74 and a standard
deviation of 16.
For which test would a score of 78 have a higher standing?
To solve: Find the z-score for each test.
78-70
math z -score =
1
8
78-74
English z -score=
 .25
16
The math score would have the highest
standing since it is 1 standard deviation above
the mean while the English score is only .25
standard deviation above the mean.
Try it out!
What will be the miles per gallon for
a Toyota Camry when the average
mpg is 23, it has a z value of 1.5 and
a standard deviation of 2?
What will be the miles per gallon for a Toyota Camry when the
average mpg is 23, it has a
z value of 1.5 and a standard deviation of 2?
Using the formula for z-scores: z 
x  23
1.5 
2
x

3  x  23 x  26
The Toyota Camry would be expected to
use 26 mpg of gasoline.
Try it out!
A group of data with normal
distribution has a mean of 45. If
one element of the data is 60,
will the z-score be positive or
negative?
A group of data with normal distribution has a mean of
45. If one element of the data is 60, will the z-score be
positive or negative?
The z-score must be positive
since the element of the
data set is above the mean.
How to Use the “Z- table”
•
•
•
Values found in this table tell us the area under the
curve to the left of that z-score.
If your calculated z-score is -1.46 , the value you find
on the z-table tells you the area under the curve to
the left of -1.46.
If your calculated z-score is 0.81, the value you find on
the z-table tells you the area under the curve to the
left of 0.81.
Looking up -1.46 on a z-table
Looking up +0.81 on a z-table
Now try it:
Suppose the heights (in inches) of adult
females (ages 20−29) in the United States
are normally distributed with a mean of
64.1 inches and a standard deviation of
2.75 inches.
1. Find the percent of women who are no
more than 63 inches tall.

2. At least 66 inches tall