Exponential distribution: Difference between revisions

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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>x+1 given X>x) 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>x+s given X>x)= P(X>s) for all x and s.
 
===Example===
A living person's final total length of life may be represented by a [[stochastic variable]] X.
 
A newborn will have a certain [[probability]] of seeing his 10th birthday, a 10 year old will have a certain probability of seeing his 20th birthday, and so on.  Regrettably, a 60 year old may count on a slightly smaller probability of seeing his 70th birthday,  and an octogenarian's chances of enjoying 10 more years may be smaller still.
 
So in the real world,  X is not exponentially distributed.  If it were,  all probabilities mentioned above would be identical.  


===Formal definition===
===Formal definition===
Let X be a real, positive stochastic variable with [[probability density function]] <math>f(x)= \lambda e^{-\lambda x}, \lambda \in <0, \infty>  </math>.
Let ''X'' be a real, positive stochastic variable with [[probability density function]]
Then X follows the exponential distribution with parameter <math>\lambda</math>.


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