What is the characteristic of normal distribution?
## **Core Concept**
The normal distribution, also known as the Gaussian distribution, is a probability distribution that is symmetric about the mean, showing that data near the mean are more frequent in occurrence than data far from the mean. In graph form, the normal distribution will appear as a bell curve. The **mean**, **median**, and **mode** are all equal in a normal distribution.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, , signifies that in a normal distribution, the mean, median, and mode are all equal. This is a defining characteristic of the normal distribution, reflecting its symmetry. The mean (ΞΌ) represents the central tendency, and in a perfectly normal distribution, it is the same as the median and mode. This equality is what makes option the correct choice.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:**
This option suggests that only the mean and median are equal, ignoring the mode. However, in a normal distribution, all three measures of central tendency (mean, median, and mode) are equal, not just the mean and median.
- **Option B:**
This option implies that the mean and mode are equal, but the median is not. This is incorrect because, in a normal distribution, all three (mean, median, and mode) are equal.
- **Option C:**
This option states that only the median and mode are equal, which is incorrect because it excludes the mean, which is also equal to them in a normal distribution.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that about 68% of the data falls within one standard deviation of the mean, about 95% falls within two standard deviations, and about 99.7% falls within three standard deviations in a normal distribution. This is often referred to as the **68-95-99.7 rule** or the empirical rule.
## **Correct Answer:** . Mean, Median, and Mode are equal.