normal distribution

American  

noun

Statistics.

1. a theoretical frequency distribution represented by a normal curve.

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normal distribution British  

noun

1. Also called: Gaussian distribution.  statistics a continuous distribution of a random variable with its mean, median, and mode equal, the probability density function of which is given by ( exp- [( x –μ)²/2σ²]/σ√(2π)) where μ is the mean and σ² the variance

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normal distribution Scientific  

/ nôr′məl /

1. A theoretical frequency distribution for a set of variable data, usually represented by a bell-shaped curve symmetrical about the mean.

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Etymology

Origin of normal distribution

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Since humans are bad at thinking probabilistically, we’ll be tempted to deem those folks flipping geniuses, rather than see their achievements as predictable points on a normal distribution of outcomes.

From Washington Post • Nov. 30, 2022

Because the sampling distribution is normally distributed, we can develop a standardizing formula and calculate probabilities from the standard normal distribution in the bottom panel, the Z distribution.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

This is barely off of the mean of the standard normal distribution of zero.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

However, the essential point here is, the probability for one standard deviation on one normal distribution is the same on every normal distribution.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

The normal distribution also arises in the measuring process.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos