What can the mean of a normal distribution be?

The mean of a normal distribution can take on any numerical value, which makes it a crucial aspect of understanding how these distributions operate. In a normal distribution, the mean is the central point around which the data is symmetrically distributed.

Since a normal distribution is characterized by its bell-shaped curve, the positioning of the mean on the horizontal axis can vary widely, meaning it can be positive, negative, or even zero. The mean determines the location of the center of the distribution; therefore, it can represent any real number depending on the specific dataset being analyzed.

This flexibility allows for a comprehensive application of normal distributions in various fields, whether dealing with scores, measurements, or other data points, without the restriction of being confined to one side of the number line.