Sample Normal Distribution

Population Mean (μ)

This is the weighted center of the distribution, meaning that it is highly susceptible to the influence of skewness and outliers. In this simulation, we assume a normal distribution but in a non-normal distribution, the median is usually a better indication of center. Please use the keyboard to enter numbers with more than two significant digits.

Population Standard Deviation (σ)

This is the spread of the sample. A greater standard deviation is indicative of a wider distribution, however, this will not affect normality. Similar to the mean, standard deviation is an easily influenced measure of spread. In a non-normal distribution, the inter-quartile-range and quartiles are better indicators of spread.

Number of Simulations

This is the number of simulations that will be performed. For each simulation, the sample mean, $\overline x$, will be calculated in the standard method by summing the elements of the sample and then dividing by the total size of the sample, i.e. $\frac{1}{n}\sum\limits_{i = 1}^n {{x_i}}$.

Sample Size

This is the size of the simulated sample or how many random x‘s we are drawing in each sample. The larger the sample size is, the closer samples should follow the population distribution, which in this case is normal (bell-curve shaped) since the influence of outliers is diminished.

Decimal Accuracy

This will not affect calculations in any way. Output data will be reported to this number of digits after rounding. Two decimal places is typical. The distribution of sample proportions can be easily plotted in a dot plot or histogram.

Results (Sample Means)
Results (Sample Standard Deviations)

To copy results, click on the above box and press CTRL+A (select all) then CTRL+C (copy).