Exponential distribution: Difference between revisions

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(→‎A basic introduction to the concept: This example is dubious. Cleaned up notation.)
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The '''[[exponential distribution|exponential distribution]]''' is any member of a class of [[continuous probability distribution|continuous probability distributions]] assigning probability
The '''[[exponential distribution|exponential distribution]]''' is any member of a class of [[continuous probability distribution|continuous probability distributions]] assigning probability


: <math>e^{-x/\mu} \,</math>
: <math>e^{-x/\mu} \,</math>


to the interval <nowiki>[</nowiki>''x'',&nbsp;&infin;<nowiki>)</nowiki>.
to the interval <nowiki>[</nowiki>''x'',&nbsp;&infin;<nowiki>)</nowiki>, for ''x'' &ge; 0.


It is well suited to model lifetimes of things that don't "wear out",  among other things.   
It is well suited to model lifetimes of things that don't "wear out",  among other things.   
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==A basic introduction to the concept==
==A basic introduction to the concept==


The main and unique characteristic of the exponential distribution is that the [[conditional probability|conditional probabilities]] P(''X''&nbsp;>&nbsp;''x''&nbsp;+&nbsp;1) stay constant for all values of ''x''.
The main and unique characteristic of the exponential distribution is that the [[conditional probability|conditional probabilities]] satisfy P(''X''&nbsp;>&nbsp;''x''&nbsp;+&nbsp;''s'' | ''X''&nbsp;>&nbsp;''x'') = P(''X''&nbsp;>&nbsp;''s'') for all ''x'', ''s'' &ge; 0.
 
More generally,  we have P(''X''&nbsp;>&nbsp;''x''&nbsp;+&nbsp;''s'' | ''X''&nbsp;>&nbsp;''x'')= P(''X''&nbsp;>&nbsp;''s'') for all ''x'', ''s'' &ge; 0.


===Formal definition===
===Formal definition===
Let ''X'' be a real, positive stochastic variable with [[probability density function]]
Let ''X'' be a real, positive stochastic variable with [[probability density function]]


: <math>f(x)= \lambda e^{-\lambda x} \mbox{ for }x > 0.  </math>
: <math>f(x)= \lambda e^{-\lambda x}\,</math>


Then ''X'' follows the exponential distribution with parameter <math>\lambda</math>.
for ''x'' &ge; 0.  Then ''X'' follows the exponential distribution with parameter <math>\lambda</math>.
 
==References==


==See also==
==See also==
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*[[Poisson distribution]]
*[[Poisson distribution]]


==External links==
==References==
 
{{reflist}}[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]
 
[[Category:Mathematics Workgroup]]

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The exponential distribution is any member of a class of continuous probability distributions assigning probability

to the interval [x, ∞), for x ≥ 0.

It is well suited to model lifetimes of things that don't "wear out", among other things.

The exponential distribution is one of the most important elementary distributions.

A basic introduction to the concept

The main and unique characteristic of the exponential distribution is that the conditional probabilities satisfy P(X > x + s | X > x) = P(X > s) for all x, s ≥ 0.

Formal definition

Let X be a real, positive stochastic variable with probability density function

for x ≥ 0. Then X follows the exponential distribution with parameter .

See also

Related topics

References