Continuous Random Variable

What is the difference between probability distribution of a discrete

random variable and that of a continuous random variable?

Feature Discrete Random Variable Continuous Random Variable

Takes specific, countable Takes any value within a range or

Definition
values. interval.

Probability Mass Function

Probability Probability Density Function (PDF)
(PMF) assigns probabilities to
Representation describes the density over a range.
specific values.

Probability of a
Non-zero for specific outcomes Always zero for any specific value.
Single Value

Height of people (X could be any

Rolling a die (X=1,2,3,4,5, 6).
Example value, like 175.3 cm). Probabilities are
Each value has a probability
calculated over ranges

Sum/Integral of The sum of probabilities over The total area under the curve is 1:
Probabilities all outcomes is 1 ∫−∞∞f(x)dx=1

Graph A set of distinct points. A smooth curve over a range.

Briefly explain the main characteristics of a normal distribution

illustrated with the help of graphs.
Characteristics of a Normal Distribution
The normal distribution, also known as the Gaussian distribution, is a continuous
probability distribution with the following key characteristics:
1. Bell-shaped Curve:

• The graph of the normal distribution is symmetric and bell-shaped, with the highest
point at the mean (μ).
2. Mean, Median, and Mode:

• In a normal distribution, the mean (μ), median, and mode are all the same and
located at the center of the curve.
3. Symmetry:

• The curve is symmetric about the vertical line x=μ. The left and right halves are
mirror images.
4. Spread Determined by Standard Deviation (σ):

• The spread (width) of the curve is determined by the standard deviation (σ). Larger
σ values result in a wider curve, while smaller σ values produce a narrower curve.
5. Empirical Rule:

• About 68% of the data falls within 1σ

• About 95% of the data falls within 2σ

• About 99.7% of the data falls within 3σ

6. Asymptotic Nature:

• The tails of the curve approach the horizontal axis but never touch it, extending
infinitely.

Briefly explain or describe the Standard Normal Distribution Curve.

Standard Normal Distribution Curve
The Standard Normal Distribution Curve is a specific type of normal distribution with the
following characteristics:
1. Mean (Center):

• The mean (μ) is 0, so the curve is centered at 0.

2. Standard Deviation (Spread):

• The standard deviation (σ) is 1, which defines the width of the curve.
3. Shape:

• It is a symmetric, bell-shaped curve.

4. Z-Scores:

• Values on the horizontal axis are called z-scores, which measure how far a point is
from the mean in terms of standard deviations.
▪ Example: z=1z = 1z=1 means 1 standard deviation above the mean.
▪ z=−2 means 2 standard deviations below the mean.
5. Empirical Rule:

• About 68% of values lie between z=−1 and z=1.

• About 95% of values lie between z=−2 and z=2.

• About 99.7% of values lie between z=−3 and z=3.

The Standard Normal Curve is used to calculate probabilities for any normal distribution by
converting data values into z-scores.

What are the parameters of the normal distribution?

The normal distribution is defined by two key parameters:
1. Mean (μ):

• Describes the center of the distribution.

• It is the average value around which the data is symmetrically distributed.

• Determines the position of the peak of the bell curve.

2. Standard Deviation (σ):

• Measures the spread or variability of the data.

• A small σ results in a narrow, tall curve (data is closely clustered around the mean).

• A large σ results in a wide, flat curve (data is more spread out).

Summary:
• μ: Controls the location of the curve (center).
• σ: Controls the shape (width/spread) of the curve.
How do the width and height of a normal distribution change when
its mean remains the same but its standard deviation decreases?
When the mean (μ) remains the same but the standard deviation (σ) decreases, the
following changes occur to the normal distribution:
1. Width:

• The curve becomes narrower because a smaller standard deviation indicates that
the data is more tightly clustered around the mean.
2. Height:

• The curve becomes taller at the center because the total area under the curve must
remain equal to 1. To compensate for the narrower spread, the peak rises.
Summary:
• Smaller σ → Narrower and taller curve.
This happens because reducing the spread focuses the data more closely around the
mean.

Do the width or height of a normal distribution change when its

standard deviation remains the same but its mean increases?
When the standard deviation (σ) remains the same but the mean (μ\muμ) increases, the
following happens:
1. Width:

• The width of the curve does not change because the standard deviation, which
determines the spread, remains constant.
2. Height:

• The height of the curve does not change because the total area under the curve is
always 1, and the spread (controlled by σ\sigmaσ) stays the same.
3. Position:

• The entire curve shifts to the right, with the new mean as its center. The shape and
spread of the curve remain identical.
Summary:
• Increasing μ → Curve shifts to the right; width and height stay the same.
For the standard normal distribution, what does Z represent?
In the standard normal distribution, Z represents the z-score, which measures how many
standard deviations a data point is away from the mean.
What Z Represents:
• A z-score of 0 means the data point is exactly at the mean.
• A positive z-score means the data point is above the mean.
• A negative z-score means the data point is below the mean.
• The magnitude of the z-score shows how far the point is from the mean in terms of
standard deviations.
Example:
If Z=2, it means the data point is 2 standard deviations above the mean. If Z=−1, the data
point is 1 standard deviation below the mean.

For the standard normal distribution, find the area within one
standard deviation of the mean, that is, the area between µ-σ and
µ±σ.
In the standard normal distribution, the area between μ−σ and μ +σ represents the
proportion of data that falls within one standard deviation of the mean.
Empirical Rule:
For a standard normal distribution (with μ=0, σ=1), the empirical rule states that:
• About 68% of the data lies within one standard deviation of the mean.
Thus, the area between μ−σ and μ+ σ is approximately 68%
Z-Scores:
For μ−σ and μ +σ:
• μ−σ corresponds to a z-score of Z=−1.
• μ+ σ corresponds to a z-score of Z=1.
The area between Z=−1 and Z=1 on the standard normal curve is 68%.
Under what conditions is the normal distribution usually used as an
approximation to the binomial distribution?
The normal distribution is often used as an approximation to the binomial distribution
when the following conditions are met:
1. Large Sample Size (n):

• The sample size n should be large enough. Typically, this is when n is greater than 30.
This ensures the binomial distribution can be approximated by a continuous
distribution like the normal distribution.
2. The Rule of Thumb:

• The normal approximation is considered appropriate if both of the following

conditions are satisfied:
▪ n⋅p≥5
▪ n⋅(1−p) ≥ 5

• Here, p is the probability of success in a single trial, and 1−p is the probability of
failure. These conditions ensure that there are enough successes and failures for the
normal approximation to be reasonable.