Data Analysis with Microsoft Excel: Updated for Office 2007

Chapter 5 Probability Distributions 207

From those random values, we’ll create a new column of data containing the

average of each of the samples. The distribution of those sample averages

will approximate the underlying sampling distribution.

To create 100 samples with nine observations each:

1 Open a new blank workbook in Excel.

2 Click Create Data from the StatPlus menu and then click Random

Numbers.

3 Select Normal from the Type of Distribution list box.

4 Enter 16 in the Number of Samples to Generate box.

5 Enter 100 in the Size of Each Sample box.

6 Enter 0 in the Mean box and 1 in the Standard Deviation box.

7 Click the Output button and select cell A1 as the output cell on the

current worksheet. Click the OK button.

The completed dialog box is shown in Figure 5-20.

Figure 5-20

The completed

Create Random
Numbers
dialog box

8 Click the OK button to start generating the random samples.