Given a frequency distribution that is $\mathrm{symmetric}$ and $\mathrm{bell}-\mathrm{shaped}$, what is the shape of the distribution shown?

• A. Skewed right distribution
• B. Bimodal distribution
• C. Uniform distribution
• D. $\mathrm{Normal}$ distribution

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key terms: A 'frequency distribution' shows how often each value occurs in a data set. The shape of this distribution can tell us about the nature of the data.
2. Recognize that a 'symmetric and bell-shaped' distribution means the data is evenly distributed around a central point, with frequencies tapering off equally on both sides.
3. Recall that a 'skewed right distribution' is asymmetric with a longer tail on the right side, which does not match the description of symmetric and bell-shaped.
4. Know that a 'bimodal distribution' has two distinct peaks, which contradicts the single peak implied by 'bell-shaped'.
5. Understand that a 'uniform distribution' has all values occurring with roughly equal frequency, which is not bell-shaped or symmetric in the sense described here. Therefore, the shape described corresponds to a 'Normal distribution', which is symmetric and bell-shaped.