The angular distribution of the luminance on each optical component of 40-inch light-emitting diode backlight was measured and studied, using the optical-simulation method. Several scattering functions were investigated as the reflection distribution function of the scattering dots printed on the bottom surface of the light guide plate (LGP). It was found that both the diffuse Lambertian and near-specular Gaussian scattering functions were necessary for the successful reproduction of the experimental angular distribution of the luminance. The optimization of the scattering parameters included in these scattering functions led to almost the same luminance distribution as that obtained from the experiment. This approach may be an effective way of indirectly estimating the reflection distribution function of the scattering dots of the LGP, which cannot be made accessible through any other experimental method.