Abstract
Generally, (continuous) biological variables (from heights and weights to IQ) are characterized by the Normal (or Gaussian) distribution. The Gaussian distribution is symmetric, so deviation from the “average” to both directions has similar properties. In addition, the distribution is unimodal, i.e., the probability density function (PDF) has one maximum; furthermore the expectation value (or mean) coincides with the value, where the probability density function takes its maximum value. The plot of a normal probability density function has the form of a bell curve, and seen in Fig. 6.1.
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© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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(2008). Statistical Laws: From Symmetric to Asymmetric. In: Complexity Explained. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-35778-0_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-35778-0_6
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-35777-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-35778-0
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