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