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

See Examples For:

normal distribution

“The sort of normal distribution of playing age will begin to move forward and that experience within the squad will be key.’

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

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

The closer the underlying binomial distribution is to being symmetrical, the better the estimate that is produced by the normal distribution.

From Textbooks ● Nov. 29, 2017

We will find here that the normal distribution can be used to estimate a binomial process.

From Textbooks ● Nov. 29, 2017

The central limit theorem states that under a wide variety of circumstances this will always be the case—averages and sums of nonnormally distributed quantities will nevertheless themselves have a normal distribution.

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