Poisson Distribution - Lecture Notes Review

A collection of flashcards based on the lecture notes about the Poisson distribution, including key terms and definitions.

Random Variable

A variable whose possible values are numerical outcomes of a random phenomenon.

Discrete Random Variable

A random variable that can only take specific values.

Probability Distribution

A function that provides the probabilities of occurrence of different possible outcomes.

Poisson Distribution

A model for events which are randomly distributed in time or space where only the mean number of events is known.

Mean (λ)

The average number of occurrences in a specified interval for a Poisson distribution.

Cumulative Probability

The probability that a random variable is less than or equal to a certain value.

Uniform Distribution

A type of probability distribution where all outcomes are equally likely.

Exponential Constant (e)

An important mathematical constant approximately equal to 2.718; used in the Poisson probability formula.

Poisson Probability Formula

If X ∼ Po(λ), then P(X = x) = e^(-λ) × (λ^x) / x!.

Cumulative Poisson Probability Table

A table used to find cumulative probabilities for the Poisson distribution.

Skew

A measure of asymmetry in the distribution of data.

Standard Deviation

A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values.

Mean Number of Events

The average number of events expected to occur in a specified period for a Poisson distribution.

Event

An occurrence that can be measured in a Poisson distribution framework.

Expected Value (E[X])

The long-term average value of random variables in probability.