What shape is the normal distribution described as?

The normal distribution is characterized by its bell-shaped curve, which is symmetric around the mean. This shape illustrates that most data points cluster around the average, with fewer data points occurring as one moves away from the mean, either higher or lower. The bell shape indicates that the probabilities for values near the mean are higher than probabilities for values further away.

This distribution is fundamental in statistics because many natural phenomena and measurement errors tend to approximate a normal distribution under certain conditions. The properties of the normal distribution, including its mean and standard deviation, allow for significant inferences and statistical calculations, including confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. The bell-shaped distribution visually represents the likelihood of occurrences of data points, making it essential in fields such as psychology, finance, and quality control.