An Interesting Relation Between the Binomial and Normal Functions

Author

George Lee Love, Prairie View A&M College

Date of Award

8-1970

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Degree Discipline

Mathematics

Abstract

Some experiments are composed of repetition of independent trials, denoted by n, each with two possible outcomes. The binomial probability distribution may describe the variation that occurs from one set of trials of such a binomial experiment to another. The formula for the binomial provides an adequate approximation providing n is small. For large n, this distribution function can be quite laborious to work with. However, when n is large, the binomial distribution can be adjusted so that it is closely approximated by the standard normal distribution. Although the formula for the standard normal distribution looks a bit unfriendly, bristling as it does with roots, exponents, and transendental numbers likeπ and e, these are not important features. For our purposes, the important features are that tables of the normal are widely available, and that the transition from a binomial probability problem to a normal probability problem is easy to make once one knows how.

Committee Chair/Advisor

A. D. Stewart

Committee Member

Evelyn Thornton

Committee Member

Clyde Christopher

Committee Member

Waymon Webster

Committee Member

H. G. Hendricks

Publisher

Prairie View A&M College

Rights

Date of Digitization

3-16-2022

Contributing Institution

John B Coleman Library

City of Publication

Prairie View

MIME Type

Application/PDF

Recommended Citation

Love, G. L. (1970). An Interesting Relation Between the Binomial and Normal Functions. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/pvamu-theses/1334