Generate Random Normally Distributed Data

Minitab 18

Minitab®  – Procedure

Minitab can be used to generate random data. In this example, we use Minitab to create a random set of data that is normally distributed.

  1. Select Calc >> Random Data >> Normal...
  2. In the box labeled Generate ... rows of data, type in the number of rows of data that you would like to generate.
  3. In the box labeled Store in Column(s):, enter the column name(s) where you want Minitab to store the data.
  4. In the boxes labeled Mean: and Standard deviation: type in the mean and standard deviation of your desired normal distribution. The default is the standard normal distribution with mean = 0 and standard deviation = 1.
  5. Select OK. The new data will appear in the worksheet window.

Example

First, generate a column of 200 random numbers from a standard normal distribution with a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. Then, generate 20 more columns, each containing 200 random numbers from a standard normal distribution with a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1.

Minitab Dialog Boxes

First option - one column:

normal distribution dialog box

Second method - multiple columns:

normal distribution dialog box

Resulting Minitab Worksheet

Based on the first dialog box above, one column (C1) of (standard) normally distributed data appears in the worksheet:

Minitab output...

Results based on specifying 20 columns (C1-C20) of (standard) normally distributed data as it will appear in the worksheet:

Minitab output

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