bell curve
Statistics' symmetric hump
A bell curve is a graph showing normal distribution—most values cluster around the middle, with fewer at the extremes, creating a symmetrical bell shape.
The term appears in statistics and everyday speech: Grades fall along a bell curve.
It often implies that most people or outcomes are average, with outliers on both ends.
Bell-shaped probability curve
- standard deviationSpread around the mean
- meanAverage, or spiteful
- medianCentral sorted value
- modeWay or method
variance · percentile · quartile · z-score · confidence interval · regression to the mean · outliers · skewness
Position among graduating students
- percentileStatistical ranking threshold
- pass/failBinary grading system
- cutoffPoint of termination
- averageArithmetic mean or ordinary
scoring · GPA · standardized testing · SAT · IQ test · merit · ranking · academic performance
normal distribution
Bell-shaped probability curve
- standard deviationSpread around the mean
- meanAverage, or spiteful
- medianCentral sorted value
mode · variance · percentile · quartile · z-score · confidence interval · regression to the mean · outliers · skewness · histogram
class rank
Position among graduating students
- percentileStatistical ranking threshold
- pass/failBinary grading system
- cutoffPoint of termination
average · scoring · GPA · standardized testing · SAT · IQ test · merit · ranking · academic performance · assessment
peak
Utmost height attained
balance · slope · inflection point · asymptotic · unimodal · centered · tapering · width · height
- curvesarc, curves, curls, curl, bend
- statisticsmean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation
- data patternstrend, spike, outlier, cluster, gap
- math visualsbar graph, bar chart, pie chart, line graph, scatter plot
- Memesdoge, rickrolling, Nyan Cat, lolcat, meme culture
- grading termsmint, near mint, excellent, very good, good