Free IB Maths AA SL lesson: Normal distribution (probability lookups)
A ready-to-teach IB Maths AA SL lesson on Normal distribution (probability lookups) (Unit 4 · Statistics & Probability): editable slides and teacher notes, free; a printable worksheet in 3 levels with answers for school plans. About 55 minutes.
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What's inside
- Slides (PowerPoint, editable) · freeabout 12 slides: do now, objectives, key ideas, a worked example step by step, “your turn”, practice QR code, exit ticket
- Teacher notes (PDF) · freelesson plan with timings, common mistakes, homework links
- Worksheet (PDF) · school plans6 questions, 31 marks: Fluency, Reasoning, Exam-style. Included with school plans and the teacher trial.
- Answers (PDF) · school plansthe answer to every worksheet question, from its mark scheme. Included with school plans and the teacher trial.
Learning objectives
- Comparing Distributions
- The Standard Normal Curve
- Distributions in Context: Normal Probabilities Feeding a Binomial Model
- Standardisation & z-values
- Finding Both μ and σ
- Normal & Binomial Together: Multi-Stage Problems
Key vocabulary
- normal distribution: A symmetric, bell-shaped continuous distribution.
- mean: μ, the centre of the curve.
- standard deviation: σ, the spread; note N(μ, σ²) gives the variance.
Common mistakes this lesson tackles
- Binomial and normal: "at least", inequalities, rounding bounds and which distribution. Write the distribution and the probability statement first (X ~ B(n, p), P(X ≥ 1) = 1 − P(X = 0)). Dividing by ln of a number below 1 reverses the inequality. For a measurement to the nearest 0.1, use the interval from −0.05 to +0.05. Solve for μ and σ on the GDC.
- Using σ² as σ (the second parameter is the variance).
- Using the right-tail area in inverse normal without converting it.
Lesson plan
| 0–5 min | Do now: students write down what they remember about Variance and standard deviation of X (extension) and Discrete random variables & E(X) |
| 5–8 min | Share the learning objective and success criteria |
| 8–20 min | Teach: the worked example, step by step; students copy the method |
| 20–25 min | Your turn: 1 mini-whiteboard question; check every board before moving on |
| 25–42 min | Practise: the worksheet (6 questions in 3 levels, with school plans and the teacher trial) or the topic's practice questions online; move up a level after two right in a row |
| 42–47 min | Plenary: 1-question exit ticket; collect it to plan the next lesson |
For students: practise this topic
The worksheet's QR code opens the IB Maths AA SL Unit 4: Normal Distribution practice questions.
What schools get
- Set this lesson as homework, marked by AI against the mark scheme, with every result in your markbook (school Pro plan).
- This lesson's worksheet in three levels, with its answers, ready to print.
- Support, Core and Stretch versions and A/B copies of the worksheet from the full question bank, in the worksheet builder.
- Create lesson: this lesson rebuilt for your class's next scheme-of-work lesson, from the full bank.
School licences from €490 a year. Try everything free for 30 days as a teacher: no card.
Questions teachers ask
Is this lesson free?
The slides and the teacher notes are free to download with a free IB Math Revision teacher account (sign in with Google, Microsoft or email); no card. The printable worksheet in three levels and its answers are included with school plans and the free 30-day teacher trial.
Can I edit the slides?
Yes. The slides are an ordinary PowerPoint file: change, add or delete anything. They also open in Google Slides and Keynote. The logo and web address sit on the slide master, so your edits do not move them.
What do students use for homework?
The practice slide's QR code and web address take students to the IB Maths AA SL Unit 4: Normal Distribution practice questions on ibmathrevision.com, where the free questions are open and the full bank comes with a plan.