Definitions
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adjective
Usual and expected, with nothing strange.
Examples
- It is normal to feel nervous before an exam.
- The test results were all normal.
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adjective
In statistics, following a bell-shaped curve.
Examples
- The test scores followed a normal distribution.
- Statisticians assumed the errors were normal.
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adjective
In math, of a number whose digits are spread out evenly.
Examples
- A number whose digits are evenly spread is called normal.
- A number that is normal in every base is called absolutely normal.
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adjective
In math, of a subgroup that fits well inside a larger group.
Examples
- The subgroup is normal in the larger group.
- A normal subgroup lets us build a new group from the old one.
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adjective
In math, of a field extension with a certain property.
Examples
- The extension is normal over the base field.
- Every splitting field is normal by definition.
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adjective
In math, of a space with a certain property.
Examples
- The space is normal under this topology.
- Mathematicians proved the set was normal.
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adjective
In math, of a function that grows steadily and smoothly.
Examples
- The function is normal in this sense.
- A normal function keeps its limits when sequences grow.
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adjective
In math, of a matrix that commutes with its conjugate transpose.
Examples
- A normal matrix has this special property.
- Every Hermitian matrix is normal.
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adjective
In math, of an operator that commutes with its adjoint.
Examples
- The operator is normal on the Hilbert space.
- Normal operators have a very nice theory.
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adjective
In math, of a part that is the kernel of some map.
Examples
- The subobject is normal in this category.
- Normal subobjects matter in this construction.