If the normal curve is used to describe the distribution of IQ scores ..??

Question

If the normal curve is used to describe the distribution of IQ scores for all currently enrolled students in U.S. colleges and universities, all students are identified with the

a) smooth normal curve.

b) total area under the normal curve.

c) maximum height of the normal curve.

d) horizontal axis.

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. Let’s review each option:

A) The “smooth normal curve” simply describes the shape of the distribution. It doesn’t identify individual students or represent the population in any meaningful way.

B) The horizontal (X) axis represents the range of possible IQ scores, while the vertical (Y) axis represents the proportion (or percentage) of students with each score. The area under the curve represents all students or 100% of the population. For example, the area under the curve from the minimum score up to the mean corresponds to the lower 50th percentile, or half of all students.

C) The maximum height of the normal curve represents the score with the greatest frequency. That is, the mean, median, and mode in a perfectly normal distribution. It shows the most common IQ score but not the entire group.

D) The horizontal axis indicates all possible IQ scores, not the students themselves.