You observe that the distribution of weights of individuals drawn from a random sample of the United States appears bimodal; there are peaks at 130 lbs. and 165 lbs. You were under the impression that weights follow a normal distribution. Why do you think this distribution differs so much?

Question

Social Studies

Tabitha Aguilar

14 July, 12:35

You observe that the distribution of weights of individuals drawn from a random sample of the United States appears bimodal; there are peaks at 130 lbs. and 165 lbs. You were under the impression that weights follow a normal distribution. Why do you think this distribution differs so much?

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Answers (1)

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Octavio · Answer 1

Because of the number of overweight and underweight people

Explanation:

The peaks appear because there are significant numbers of overweight and underweight people, compared with a relative small number of people with normal, average weight.

In today's society there are two extremes: the overweight and the underweight people, they make up the largest part of the population and this is why weight does not follow a normal distribution any longer, it concentrates in the peak measurements. To follow a normal distribution, the number of people with average weight would have to be predominant in a society, which is not a case today.