Bell Curve

Bell Curve
The most common type of distribution for a variable. The term "bell curve" comes from the fact that the graph used to depict a normal distribution consists of a bell-shaped line.

The bell curve is also known as a normal distribution. The bell curve is less commonly referred to as a Gaussian distribution, after German mathematician and physicist Karl Gauss, who popularized the model in the scientific community by using it to analyze astronomical data.

The highest point in the curve, or the top of the bell, represents the most probable event. All possible occurrences are equally distributed around the most probable event, which creates a downward-sloping line on each side of the peak.


Investment dictionary. . 2012.

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  • Bell curve — can refer to:* Normal distribution, whose density function graph is a bell shaped curve * The Bell Curve , a book by Richard J. Herrnstein and Charles Murray * Bell curve grading, a method of evaluating scholastic performance …   Wikipedia

  • bell curve — bell′ curve n. sta a frequency distribution in statistics that resembles the outline of a bell when plotted on a graph Also called bell shaped curve …   From formal English to slang

  • bell curve — n. Statistics a curve resembling the outline of a flared bell, usually representing a normal distribution * * * …   Universalium

  • bell curve — n. Statistics a curve resembling the outline of a flared bell, usually representing a normal distribution …   English World dictionary

  • bell curve — noun : a bell shaped curve ; specifically : normal curve * * * bell curve UK US noun [countable] [singular bell curve plural …   Useful english dictionary

  • bell curve — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms bell curve : singular bell curve plural bell curves maths a line on a graph that is curved like a bell in the middle …   English dictionary

  • Bell curve grading — In education, grading on a bell curve (or simply known as curving) is a method of assigning grades designed to yield a desired distribution of grades among the students in a class. Strictly speaking, grading on a bell curve refers to the… …   Wikipedia

  • bell curve — noun In mathematics, the bell shaped curve that is typical of the normal distribution. Syn: Gaussian curve …   Wiktionary

  • bell curve — /ˈbɛl kɜv/ (say bel kerv) noun (in statistics) a frequency curve which resembles the shape of a bell; normal curve …  

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