Probability Distributions

Key ideas

• Discrete probability distributions

  • Discrete random variable - governed by a distribution table (no pattern)

  • Binomial - probability of x successes out of n trials

  • Poisson - probability of x occurrences, given a rate in a fixed, continuous  interval of time or space

• Continuous probability distributions

  • Normal - probability of x falling within a range of naturally occurring measurement data (mean and variance required)

    • Continuity corrections to account for rounding or discrete data

  • Uniform - probability of x falling within a range when only the maximum and minimum x values are known

  • Triangular - probability of x falling within a range when the mode is known in addition to the maximum and minimum x values.

• Find expectation and variance of all probability distributions

• Compare experimental data to theoretical distributions

• Combinations of theoretical probability distributions