Section 3.4

Fundamentals of Social Statistics by Adam J. McKee

 The Normal Curve

Now that we have an understanding of variance and standard deviation, we can discuss some very useful properties of the normal curve that would not have made sense before.  First, let us consider some of the properties of the normal curve.

Synonyms of the Normal Distribution

The normal distribution is also known as the Bell Curve since it resembles the outline of a church bell when it is graphed.

It is also known by statistically savvy folk as the Gaussian distribution.

It is symmetrical.  That means that whatever is true of the left side is true of the right side.  The distinct bell shape means that a predictable number of subjects will fall within certain specified areas under the curve.  We can define these areas in terms of standard deviation units.


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Last Modified:  06/03/2021

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