Calculating Probabilities Using the Normal Distribution Function in Excel

This video demonstrates how to calculate the probability of observing specified score ranges using the Normal Distribution function in Microsoft Excel.

[@VictoriaSays]

Dr. Grande, I normally follow you for your commentary on criminals, but you are true jack of all trades!

[@michellerobinson968]

The examples and step by step instructions are very useful. I will not remember everything but I can follow along and understand the concepts. The probability is the percentage of seeing a particular score or observation. Excel makes calculating this much easier. I liked how Dr. Grande shows how to calculate manually as well as how Excel calculates the probability.

[@thecorgisquad9861]

Michelle Robinson I also liked how he showed us how to manually calculate the probabilities step-by-step, as well as showing how Excel calculates them automatically. Doing this helps deepen my understanding of calculating probabilities and being able to understand and interpret them.

[@mandabear52289]

I also liked that Dr. Grande shows us how to calulate these statistics manually. Someday we may not have access to Excel when we need it. It's important to know how to do it by hand. It's also helpful for understanding how Excel reached it's calculation.

[@1924Badmonkey]

Thank you for making this video. This is a lot easier than doing it on paper. No more headaches! God bless your soul, sir.

[@williamrestrepo7244]

What a fantastic video. This summarizes a lot in just one table and one simple function. THANK YOU!!!!

[@tamarabakergibbons5715]

The TRUE/FALSE section seemed similar but the FALSE selection was more specific to the number. So where the values fall on the distribution determines the probability percentage. Got it! Thank you for the video.

[@ashleydorsey6745]

This was extremely informative in calculating normal distribution. I agree with my fellow cohorts regarding a hands on activity serving as beneficial. I typically have trouble calculating the normal distribution.

[@E2M5I0L4Y]

***** I don't have experience with calculating the normal distribution at all. Watching this video, everything makes sense to me, but I could see how it would be more difficult to apply on my own.

[@lisanoland5134]

Thank you for the information. Using Excel in this way is new to me, and the explanations in addition to the calculations are beneficial.

[@brittanyhoffman8068]

Thank you for the video Dr. Grande. Calculating probabilities hasn't been something I've used excel for, so it was useful to see how quickly someone can calculate the probability using excel. It is also reassuring to calculate the probability using excel in that you can produce the exact percentages by plugging in the data correctly.

[@toniettemorda9077]

This was an interesting video. I liked how the >= and

[@kristinblake9294]

Using excel to calculate probabilities using Normal distribution is a great way to quickly and accurately assess data for occurrences within certain parameters. This would be a great method to use when conducting research to discover how often a specific occurrence takes place within a population or during an experiment.

[@ashleymogle2700]

This is a really cool function that I have never used in excel before. I can see how this could be really helpful when conducting research, especially if there is a particular score/desired outcome you are trying to see occur in your sample population.

[@jackiedeleonardis1153]

A very informative video explanation of how to calculate probabilities. I found it interesting that changing two point values (as with the IQ score) could change the probability so substantially, depending on where the value was on the bell curve.

[@thomasstarr6433]

Never new excel to be so powerful. This explanation makes it really easy to follow and process.

[@amandavalentino8182]

Dr. Grande- This video was very informative on how to calculate probabilities. This information will be useful for me when it is time to analyzing research in the future.

[@ShoreMeetsFarm]

Using the normal distribution function in counseling appraisal to calculate the probability of a score looks as though it will come in handy when analyzing research in the future. I will surely be referencing this video again when needed.

[@mirandat1087]

This video provided great examples of how to calculate probabilities!

[@JoeDirt-el2fr]

This was a lot of information and very informative. I understand the calculations, however is sure I need to review this several times before doing it.

[@mandabear52289]

I found this video to be very informative. I think that it was easy to follow and understand especially for me since doing any of these statistics in Excel is new to me as I learned on SPSS. I also thought it served as a good reminder of the importance of knowing if your data is normally distributed as this wouldn't work if it was not. 

[@toniettemorda9077]

Mandy Moore Agreed! That will be a disappointment if we get that far and see that our data is not normally distributed.

[@rhondabaileyyy]

I agree that this video showed how easy it is to do data analysis in Excel, I was confused on probablity in general.

[@alainavangelder5327]

Although this video was very well done, I got a little lost with some of the Excel formulas. However, I think if I watched it enough times, I could replicate the functions and formulas to produce the correct numbers. Again, still excited that all of this is available in Excel.

[@daniellemaldonado631]

Alaina Van Gelder I am happy that we would be able to do this in Excel, as well. However, I found myself frustrated with this video, possibly because I need to be able to do it myself.

[@joe1579]

It was an interesting video, with another way that I never knew Excel could be used. I liked the explanation about position in the normal distribution, & how the relationship can change the probability.

[@fluffysox6072]

This is so crazy. I watch Dr. Grandes true crimes religiously, but never thought he'd also be helping me with my stats homework lolol

[@jacklinskibicki6098]

This video helped me to understand the relationship among the different terms and concepts discussed, but I think I would benefit from further discussion and practice using this program to calculate probabilities.

[@CandyKaneLane]

Jacklin Skibicki I agree hands on practice would benefit us, since we are not used to the program it makes it kind of hard to understand the importance of it.

[@E2M5I0L4Y]

I had not previously considered that the range can be the same, and the distance of this range from the mean makes a difference. It was interesting to see the probability change.

[@rachelnewberry1089]

So what I am hearing from your video is, if I wanted to find the probability falls between two scores, I just simply need to subtract the values with and without my one of my ranges. This makes it much simpler than it sounded when you originally proposed that we do the math. I guess sometimes things may sound more complex than they really are. Thank you for your help!

[@kristinblake9294]

This video certainly clarified that for me as well. I appreciate simplicity when it comes to statistics and probability.

[@jazzynovy5400]

This video helped me to understand how to calculate the probabilities in Excel but it would be more helpful to be able to be given a problem and have hands on experience.

[@remigiusdemby7433]

Excel is a very good tool for calculations. It makes the process very easy.

[@bethanyelstrom3566]

I found it helpful that you showed how to compute the probability between two observation points. I would like to know what happens if you select FALSE instead of TRUE in the function line.

[@bethanyelstrom3566]

Bethany Elstrom I see what happens when FALSE is selected but I don't understand the function that produces the results.

[@brittanyvodzak9198]

Bethany Elstrom I am also confused about the TRUE and FLASE option. I still do not really understand the concept of when you use each one.

[@kimberlykelly386]

After watching this video, I now know how to calculate probabilities (less than/equal to observation, in between two observations, and greater than/equal to observation). I think I get too caught on trying to understand WHY certain formulas are what they are... I think I'm overthinking formulas that I should just write down and move on :)

[@jpincinjr]

Kimberly Hanna I tend to do that as well lol. Sometimes I take solace in knowing that there's a formula, it makes life easier, and I don't have to understand why something is the way it is.

[@laurynmoffa]

One thing I found quite interesting demonstrated in this video was how the ranges of the scores are effected differently in the probabilities based on where they are in normal distribution. I have to admit that the video helped make sense of finding probabilities in Excel, but it is still very confusing to me; it is a lot of information at once that is just challenging for me to wrap my brain around.

[@aliciazahn1718]

I was curious about what the "FALSE" function does through the whole video so I am glad Dr. Grande discussed it. I am not sure I completely understand the "TRUE" function though. While I see that that is the one I would typically use, I was not 100% positive of the difference between it and "FALSE" besides the value change. I am thinking it is that "TRUE" gives all of the bell curve value below or above a certain specified score. I thought it was interesting that to get values above a certain score, you have to subtract that score from 1. I am assuming that is because 1 is 100% and however much of the bell curve is below the score would be taken out of 100% leaving the right side of that information on the bell curve. I am trying to follow a normal distribution in my mind but I think if I were to do this function, I would first have the distribution created to reference.

[@Mjthfdj]

I believe I understand the functions of Excel and how to reach the calculations as I'm watching them but I don't think I will fully grasp it until I actually get a chance to crunch some numbers in Excel myself. A step-by-step in-class lesson would be of great help. I am starting to pick up on the terminology used in research as I hear it repeated throughout the videos, that's a plus.

[@thecorgisquad9861]

I was not familiar with the normal distribution function prior to watching this video to calculate probabilities (unless I forgot it over the past couple years). I also liked how when excel prompts you to put in the values, it shows you in smaller font underneath all of the arguments that are required to carry out the probability function. I would have a tough time remembering exactly which values I needed and in what specific order without the argument key underneath!

[@michellerobinson968]

Jessica Muzzin Jess- I am not familiar with calculating probabilities so watching this was helpful. I liked how Excel prompts you to put in values as well. Dr. Grande said to always choose "true" when calculating probabilities.

[@melissaclendaniel9811]

I agree that the smaller print underneath that explains the arguments for each function to properly calculate the outcomes of the data set would be helpful. I did not know that the specific requirements for each calculation would be listed so it was definitely something that stuck out for me in this video.

[@MichaelSmith-jd5ki]

I've used a lot of functions in Excel, but I have never used the norm.dist function. I found it interesting that you could set up to subtract one function from another. Excel is a really great program that waay

[@reneemendez4287]

I can definitely see myself using this formula sometime in the future as I was required to do simple probabilities with pen and paper. However, I became completely lost at "true" and "false". I would not know which one to choose when inputting my own information.

[@krystleclear14]

It is interesting all the work that needs to be done in order to see a hypotheses of data within a certain range.

[@alexdeloach6472]

I agree. However, these videos and excel seem to make this process a lot easier.

[@rhondabaileyyy]

I was able to follow along with how to actually do the function in excel, however, I was totally lost on calculating the probability. I will have continue to educate myself on that.

[@nickfleming3719]

Why am I getting over 25 (not a decimal, 25 as in 2500%) at x = 0 when using a mean of 0.5% and standard deviation of 1.46%??????

[@rebeccameece013]

As others have said, I found this video helpful, but I am still a bit confused, especially when it comes to choosing arguments. Maybe if I watch the video again I will better understand but I also think I may bring this up in class as a talking point for better clarification.

[@katherinebeck593]

This video was very informative but I did have trouble understanding some of the content. I was not familiar with some of the contents and I still feel like I'm not. For example true and false in relation to the normal distribution. This is something I will have to look more closely at.

[@remigiusdemby7433]

Yes, the video makes the process easier but I am still to work on understanding it.

[@melissaclendaniel9811]

I understand how the values of each example came to be. However, I am unfamiliar with a lot of functions in Excel and was confused by how to know to write norm.dis for the function to appear. Is there a list of all the functions in Excel available to use? Additionally, I get that I would not normally use the False function but I am not clear on what the difference is besides the numbers being different from the True function. How do I know when to accept it as true or false and what does saying it is false mean in relation to a data set?

[@CandyKaneLane]

I understand how you got the calculations for probability and what steps you took to get to the end result, however I think a hands on activity with this would help me to better grasp how to do the calculations on my own.

[@jacklinskibicki6098]

Candace Fernandez I definitely agree that I would need more practice with these calculations!

[@reginaames3038]

Jacklin Skibicki Yes much practice is needed for me in calculating probabilities.

[@danielleduboski9831]

Candace Fernandez I agree with Candace, but will we actually be doing calculations like this or is this just to give us an overview of how it would work?

[@kimberlykelly386]

Candace Fernandez I agree with the group, practice would help. I can open Excel and try to play around with the functions but actually applying them to real data may be helpful in conceptualizing all of this.

[@Mjthfdj]

Candace Fernandez I totally agree! I have used Excel for years and still I'm a little lost with all the research stuff. Actually applying it in-class would help.

[@sherrietilghman2745]

I think my take away from this video is understanding the relationship between the probability and where scores Flo on the bell curve. Also the difference of using the true and false function.

[@ariadnaaguero-roman5525]

Sherrie Tilghmanokay well thanks for helping me understand a bit. It would be nice if the scores appeared o a bell curve.

[@drelizabethpepe5403]

Tried it again, and it still does not work. Does it only work on certain versions of Excel?

[@jpincinjr]

I get how these calculations happen with the formula, but I hope don't have to use this too often. Quite confusing without practice, as others have said. But, if I ever did need to use this formula or get answers like this, I'd go right to this video without a doubt.

[@rachelfoster5463]

Jeff Pincin I agree. The video is a great tool to refer to, but I would not feel confident doing this on my own without more practice. I too felt confused about many things in the video.

[@JoeDirt-el2fr]

Jeff Pincin quite confusing without practice I agree.

[@reginaames3038]

Probabilities was something that I never did get a real good handle on in statistics class and though this video was informative I can not say it is helpful in understanding how to calculate.

[@MichaelSmith-jd5ki]

Regina Ames Don't worry, Regina, this video really focuses on how to use an excel function rather than explaining what probabilities are. or how to actually calculate them.

[@mwlancamwlanca3607]

How would you calculate the probability of one of those having the highest score out of the 4?

[@michaelgeorgemcdonald5927]

Thank you.

[@brittanyvodzak9198]

I was still a little confused after watching this video. I do not really understand why we choose TURE and when we would choose FASLE. I think I would need to try using these functions in excel so I can have a better grasp on how to do these calculations.

[@ashleydorsey6745]

Brittany Vodzak Same here. I don't understand the choosing of true and false. I wonder if this is similar to accepting or rejecting the null. Excel is a great tool in calculating these functions.

[@chelseydavis4989]

Brittany Vodzak I agree with you as well as many other classmates. There were a few points of confusion for me here. The true verses false issue is challenging for me. It might be helpful for Dr. Grande to walk through this in person.

[@daniellemaldonado631]

So, this seems a little trickier than calculating Z Scores! Maybe its just me. I understand the information given in the video, maybe because I am not doing it myself makes it seem confusing.

[@rebeccameece013]

Danielle Maldonado I also feel a bit confused by this video. I think the videos are a great tool to have, but there is quite a lot of information we need to remember and I want to make sure I understand correctly. Although I am confused, I would be more confused if I didn't have these videos to watch, so I am happy they're here.

[@juniorfaka1123]

How can we CalculateProbabilities Using the Normal Distribution Function in Excel from sample data?

[@rachelfoster5463]

I followed some aspects of the video, but I am still confused on a few things. For instance, the true versus false part did not make sense to me. I do not understand how I am supposed to know which argument to choose or why I should choose a particular one.

[@katherinebeck593]

I agree. I am still confused by this topic as a whole!

[@susanwilder7616]

Rachel Foster This video was confusing for me as well. I didn't understand the true versus false aspect. At the end he did say that the false was rarely used. I guess this is something we can ask for clarification in class..

[@reneemendez4287]

Rachel Foster The true/false debate is confusing to me as well. If false is rarely used then what is it used for? How do you determine if you need to use true or false? So many questions that I will try to remember to bring up during class

[@meganblackwell8600]

Renee Mendez I had the same issues! More example situations would be helpful.

[@jasmiraross2802]

I am confused as to how you make the decision to use true or false. Math was honestly never my thing, so excuse me but this just looks like random numbers. When is this method most effective?

[@meganblackwell8600]

This video was more difficult for me to follow, and I am not sure about the point of choosing false and why you would do so. More examples would be helpful!

[@danielleduboski9831]

Was helpful, but am still a little confused on the Value of False.

[@bethanyelstrom3566]

Danielle Duboski I agree...I would like to see what happens if FALSE was selected. Do you always select the value TRUE?

[@ariadnaaguero-roman5525]

I think I was lost throughout the video and I am also wondering when is it appropriate to use false or true.

[@shannonwade2743]

I tried following along in the video, but I kept getting the error "#Value!" when trying to calculate the probability

[@victoriwuoha3081]

Greetings Shannon, were you able to sort this out? It was probably from your formatting, maybe your numbers were formatted as text.

[@simonehenry469]

i like the video, but a hands on example would be better

[@jhoward1129]

I am jealous of the people who think this video was easy to follow! All of this seems a little but over me head. I don't think I understand the use of the words true and false. I understand that it does not mean true and false in the conventional way... but I would like a little bit more of an explanation. I think these are all lacking "why" we do these things in research. What is the point? Why do I want to know this stuff? If I knew that, I would understand this more.

[@aliciazahn1718]

Jessie Howard Throughout the video I was trying to imagine the normal distribution and where the scores would fall on the bell curve. I think a distribution chart this would have been helpful in a separate tab to reference for each one of the functions. I think I understand "FALSE" as just being the score and those scores close to it. However, I am still not sure about "TRUE" either. It is the one you would want to use typically but I am not 100% on why that is. Definitely something we should bring to class.