Which concept describes a set where the central value is most likely found near the mean?

A normal distribution is characterized by its bell-shaped curve, where the majority of the data points cluster around the mean. In this type of distribution, the mean, median, and mode are all equal and located at the center of the distribution. This means that approximately 68% of the data falls within one standard deviation of the mean, creating a scenario where the central value is most likely found near the mean.

In contrast, a skewed distribution has a tail on one side, indicating that the bulk of the data points are concentrated on one end. This can lead to the mean being pulled in the direction of the tail, making it less accurate as a measure of central tendency. Similarly, while a symmetrical distribution does center around the mean, it is not always indicative of the normal distribution specifically, as it could take forms other than the classic bell shape. An exponential distribution, on the other hand, typically describes the time between events in a Poisson process and does not focus on central tendency in the same way as the normal distribution.