normal distribution

noun

: a probability density function that approximates the distribution of many random variables (such as the proportion of outcomes of a particular kind in a large number of independent repetitions of an experiment in which the probabilities remain constant from trial to trial) and that has the form {latex}f(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi\sigma^{2}}}e^{-\frac{(x - \mu)^{2}}{2\sigma^{2}}}{/latex} where μ is the mean and σ is the standard deviation compare normal curve

Examples of normal distribution in a Sentence

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Gosset recognized that this approach worked only with large sample sizes; small samples of hops wouldn’t guarantee that normal distribution. —

Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 25 May 2024 Now known as t distributions, these plots resemble the normal distribution in that they’re bell-shaped, but the curves of the bell don’t drop off as sharply. —

Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 25 May 2024 With this, the second release of a Fedora Remix, Asahi is becoming an almost normal distribution to install, a reasonable place to compute. —

Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 9 May 2024 Second, the initial velocities will have a normal distribution of speeds and will start off in random directions. —

Rhett Allain, WIRED, 21 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for normal distribution

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of normal distribution was in 1897

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“Normal distribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/normal%20distribution. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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