or example, if the average height of all Americans were to be determined, we would find that it centers around a mean value, with extreme variations being rare. If, say, the average height was found to be 6 feet, people shorter than 6 feet would be progressively distributed on one slope of the bell according to the number of people standing at a particular height. Similarly, people taller than 6 feet would get progressively distributed on the other slope of the bell curve.