Distribution and Graphs - Essay Example

Thee Normal distribution: By saying that she would grade the on a bell shaped curve, the meant that she expected the students’ score to follow the normal distribution. Normally distributed data has one peak that is the highest point when a histogram of the data is plotted. The peak places the mean, median and mode of the data close to each other near this peak. On either side of the peak is a tail, and the values are fewer. For normally distributed data, the tails are almost uniform in length.

By joining the same high school class study group, the indication is that there will be no introduction of new study ideas, and if we as former high school classmates happen to rank poorly in relation to our colleagues, we could at best retain the lowly performance, and remain on the left tail of the plotted histogram- the poorly performing lot. Even if we ranked well in relation to classmates, it would still be necessary to distribute ourselves among the groups, to attract diversity of views and fresh study styles.

Therefore I would favor a group not dominated by my former high school classmates.My choice of a study group may affect my scholastic standing in my chemistry class in the following instances: 1) If my score ranks low and I join a study group that has got brighter students, I will score better in the next exam and move to a position further right in the histogram. 2) If I rank higher than most of my group members, my score is likely to be influenced downwards, which would lead to a shift of my standing further left on the normal distribution plot, an undesirable result. 3) If the study group I join has no implication whatsoever on my score, my position remains the same and there is no right or left shift in my standing on the normal distribution curve.

Works cited:AGCAS Editors. (January 2011) Mathematics-Your Skills. Web.