Adding a Normal Curve

Graph of a normal distribution curve. The curve is bell-shaped and symmetrical, with a shaded area under the curve between -1.5 and 1.5. The x-axis is labeled "X" and likely represents values. The y-axis is unlabeled but represents probability density. There is a vertical line at x = 0.

To add a normal curve to a Cartesian graph:

  1. Insert a Cartesian graph or edit an existing graph by double-clicking it. The Cartesian Graph dialog box opens.

  2. In the Layers section, click Add.

  3. Select Normal Curve in the Add Cartesian Layer dialog box and then click OK.

  4. Enter the Mean and Standard Deviation for the curve. If you want the vertical axis to go through the mean, leave the mean value set to zero.

  5. Enter the Scaling Factor.

  6. If you want to shade part of the curve, enter the lower and upper limits in the Shading Starts and Shading End fields as multiples of the standard deviation.

  7. Select a Line Style for the line.

  8. Click the Line Color to specify the color of the curve.

  9. Click Fill Color to specify the color of the shaded area of the graph.

  10. Click Fill Shading to specify the pattern applied to the shaded area of the curve.

  11. If you want the layer to display only if a certain condition is met, enter an equation or a variable that evaluates to true or false into the Show if field. .

    Note: When entering variables, enclose the variable name in two opening and two closing number signs (for example, ##var1## = 3). The variable you reference must be defined for the question or the preface associated with the question.

  12. Click OK.