Probability distribution

From WikiMD's medical encyclopedia

Probability distribution is a statistical function that describes all the possible values and likelihoods that a random variable can take within a given range. This range will be between the minimum and maximum statistically possible values, but where the possible value is likely to be plotted on the probability distribution depends on a number of factors. These factors include the distribution's mean (average), standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis.

Definition

In statistics, a probability distribution can be defined as a function that describes the likelihood of obtaining the possible values that a random variable can assume. In other words, the values of the variable correspond to the outcomes of a random phenomenon, and the probability of each value represents the frequency of the outcome when the phenomenon is performed a large number of times.

Types of Probability Distributions

There are many types of probability distributions in statistics including:

Normal Distribution

The Normal Distribution, also known as the Gaussian distribution, is a probability distribution that is symmetric about the mean, showing that data near the mean are more frequent in occurrence than data far from the mean. In graph form, normal distribution will appear as a bell curve.

Binomial Distribution

The Binomial Distribution is a probability distribution that describes the number of successes in a fixed number of independent Bernoulli trials with the same probability of success. The Bernoulli distribution is a special case of the binomial distribution where a single trial is conducted.

Poisson Distribution

The Poisson Distribution is a probability distribution that expresses the probability of a given number of events occurring in a fixed interval of time or space if these events occur with a known constant mean rate and independently of the time since the last event.

Exponential Distribution

The Exponential Distribution is the probability distribution that describes the time between events in a Poisson point process, i.e., a process in which events occur continuously and independently at a constant average rate.

See Also

WHO Rod.svg
This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
PubMed
Wikipedia
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP-1 injections from $125.

W8mdlogo.png
W8MD weight loss doctors team

W8MD offers a medical weight loss program to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our physician-supervised medical weight loss provides:

NYC weight loss doctor appointments

Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss and Philadelphia medical weight loss clinics.

Linkedin_Shiny_Icon Facebook_Shiny_Icon YouTube_icon_(2011-2013) Google plus


Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD