Education Technology

The Normal Distribution

Subject Area
Math: Statistics: Inferential Statistics
Level
9-12
Activity Time
60 Minutes
Software
TI Connect™
TI Calculator
TI-89 / TI-89 Titanium
Other Materials
This is Activity 8 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
Advanced Placement Statistics with the TI-89

Resource Types
Lessons

The Normal Distribution

Activity Overview

Students graph normal distributions, shade desired areas, and find related probabilities. They graph Normal probability scatter plots to check the normal (linear) shape of a data distribution.

Before the Activity

Install the Statistics with List Editor application on the calculator using one of these two methods:

  • TI Connect™, a TI Connectivity Cable, and the Unit-to-Unit Link Cable
  • TI-Navigator™ "send to class" feature
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 109 - 116 from the attached PDF file for your class

During the Activity

Distribute the pages to the class.

Follow the Activity procedures:

  • Enter two data sets as lists
  • Calculate the mean and standard deviation for each set
  • Set up a graph
  • Enter the mean, standard deviation, and the upper and lower constraint values
  • Use the shade option to calculate the probability of an event
  • Use the Inverse Normal Function to find a value from the given population
  • Simulate a sample from a Normally Distributed data by creating a histogram
  • Set up a Normal Probability scatter plot and observe that the data points lie on a straight line
  • Identify that linearity is an indication of the data being Normally Distributed
  • Plot a histogram for skewed distribution and observe that the plotted data do not lie on a straight line
  • Measure the thickness of 5 sheets of paper using a Vernier calibers
  • Plot the data and observe the variation from the normal probability plot for small samples
  • After the Activity

    Review student results:

  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary
  • Subject Area
    Math: Statistics: Inferential Statistics
    Level
    9-12
    Activity Time
    60 Minutes
    Software
    TI Connect™
    TI Calculator
    TI-89 / TI-89 Titanium
    Other Materials
    This is Activity 8 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Advanced Placement Statistics with the TI-89

    Resource Types
    Lessons
    iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
    Vernier EasyData,Vernier EasyLink and Vernier EasyTemp are registered trademarks of Vernier Science Education.