Normal facts for kids

Normal or The Normal can mean different things depending on how it's used. It often describes something that is typical, usual, or expected. But in specific areas like math, science, or even film, "normal" can have a very special meaning.

Film and Television

Many movies and TV shows use the word "Normal" in their titles. These often explore what it means to be typical or unusual.

• Normal, Ohio: A TV comedy series from the year 2000.
• Normal (2003 film): A movie starring Jessica Lange and Tom Wilkinson.
• Normal (2007 film): Another film, featuring Carrie-Anne Moss.
• Normal (2009 film): This movie was based on a play called Normal: The Düsseldorf Ripper.
• Normal! (2011 film): An Algerian movie.
• The Normals (2012 film): An American comedy film.
• "Normal" (New Girl episode): An episode from the popular TV series New Girl.

Mathematics

In mathematics, "normal" has very specific and important meanings.

• Normal (geometry): In geometry, a "normal" is something like a line or a vector that is exactly perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle) to another object, like a surface or a curve. Think of a line coming straight out of a wall.
• Normal distribution: This is a very common type of probability distribution, often called the "bell curve." It shows how data points are spread out, with most points clustering around the average. Many natural things, like people's heights, follow a normal distribution.
• Normal number: A real number is called "normal" if its digits appear with equal frequency. For example, in a normal number, the digit '0' would appear about as often as '1', '2', and so on.
• Normal matrix: In algebra, a normal matrix is a special kind of matrix that has certain properties when multiplied by its "conjugate transpose" (a related matrix).
• Normal operator: Similar to a normal matrix, a normal operator is a type of mathematical function that acts on spaces and has specific properties.
• Normal space: In topology, a normal space is a type of mathematical space where certain sets can be "separated" from each other.
• Normal subgroup: This is a special kind of subgroup within a larger group in abstract algebra. It's important because it allows for the creation of "quotient groups."

Music

"Normal" is also used in the titles of albums, songs, and even band names.

• Normal (album): An album released in 2005 by musician Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal.
• "Normal": A song by the artist Alonzo.
• "Normal": A song by the famous rapper Eminem.
• "Normal": A music video by Gucci Mane.
• "Normal": A song by the band Porcupine Tree from their album Nil Recurring.
• "Normal": A song by the band AJR from The Click (Deluxe Edition).
• "Nomal": A song by Ximena Sariñana from her album Mediocre.
• The Normal: This was a music project by English producer Daniel Miller.
• The Normals (Christian band): An American Christian alternative rock band.
• The Normals (New Orleans band): A punk band from the 1970s, based in New Orleans.

Places

There are several places named Normal, often because they were considered typical or had a "normal school" (a type of teacher training college).

• Normal, Alabama
• Normal, Illinois
• Normal, Indiana
• Normal, Kentucky
• Normal Station, Memphis

Transportation

"Normal" can also be found in names related to transportation.

• Normal metro station: A subway station located in Mexico City.
• Uptown Station: This train station in Illinois is also known as Normal Station.

Other Meanings

"Normal" has other uses in different fields.

• Norm (social): A social norm is what a group of people generally considers to be acceptable or typical behavior. For example, it's a social norm to say "please" and "thank you."
• Normal: The Düsseldorf Ripper: A play written by Anthony Neilson in 1991.
• Normal modes: In physics, these are specific ways that a system (like a guitar string or a bridge) can vibrate.
• Normal school: Historically, a normal school was a special type of school created to train high school graduates to become teachers. The word "normal" here refers to setting a standard or "norm" for teaching.
• Charles Normal (born 1965): An American record producer.
• Henry Normal (born 1956): An English comedian.
• The Normals: A novel written by David Gilbert.

See also

In Spanish: Normal para niños

• Norm (disambiguation)
• Normal closure (disambiguation)
• Normal Field (disambiguation)
• Normal form (disambiguation)
• Normal order (disambiguation)
• Normal Township (disambiguation)
• Normality (disambiguation)
• Normalization (disambiguation)
• Normalsi: A rock band from Poland.
• Leaving Normal (disambiguation)
• New Normal (disambiguation)
• Usual (disambiguation)