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

Will the distribution of the means be closer to a normal distribution than the distribution of the population?

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

Alternatively, we can use the normal distribution to get an acceptable answer and in much less time.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

Below the binomial distribution is a normal distribution to be used to estimate this probability.

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