normal distribution

normal distribution

In statistics, a frequency distribution in the shape of the classic bell curve. It accurately represents most variations in such attributes as height and weight. Any random variable with a normal distribution has a mean (see mean, median, and mode) and a standard deviation that indicates how much the data as a whole deviate from the mean. The standard deviation is smaller for data clustered closely around the mean value and larger for more dispersed data sets.

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normal distribution [′nȯr·məl ‚di·strə′byü·shən]

(statistics)

A commonly occurring probability distribution that has the formwhereeis the mean and σ is the variance. Also known as Gauss' error curve; Gaussian distribution.

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(statistics)

normal distribution - (Or "Gaussian distribution") The frequency distribution of many natural phenomena such as the height or intelligence of people of a certain age and sex. The formula looks something like: P(x) = e^(((x-m)/s)^2) where P(x) is the probability of a measurement x, m is the mean value of x and s is the standard deviation. Also known as a "bell curve" because of its shape.