NORMAL

The NORMAL function returns a random value from a normal distribution with a specified mean and standard deviation. The result returned by NORMAL is dimensioned by all the dimensions of the mean and standard deviation expressions.

Return Value

DECIMAL

Syntax

NORMAL(mean standard-deviation)

Arguments

mean: A numeric expression that represents the mean of a normal distribution.
standard-deviation: A numeric expression that represents the standard deviation of a normal distribution.

Notes

NA Values

When mean is NA, NORMAL returns NA. When standard-deviation is NA, NORMAL returns the mean.

Examples

Example 18-36 Showing Random Values

Each of the following examples shows a random number that might be returned from a normal distribution with a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1.

The statement

SHOW NORMAL(0 1)

might produce the following result.

-0.75

When you execute the same statement again

SHOW NORMAL(0 1)

it might produce the following result.

0.87

The following examples show a random number that might be returned from a normal distribution with a mean of 250 and a standard deviation of 50.

The statement

SHOW NORMAL(250 50)

might produce the following result.

262.24

When you execute the same statement again

SHOW NORMAL(250 50)

it might produce the following result.

217.02