Home | | Maths 12th Std | Cumulative Distribution Function or Distribution Function

Probability Distributions | Mathematics - Cumulative Distribution Function or Distribution Function | 12th Maths : UNIT 11 : Probability Distributions

Chapter: 12th Maths : UNIT 11 : Probability Distributions

Cumulative Distribution Function or Distribution Function

There are many situations to compute the probability that the observed value of a random variable X will be less than or equal to some real number x .

Cumulative Distribution Function or Distribution Function

There are many situations to compute the probability that the observed value of a random variable will be less than or equal to some real number x . Writing F( x) = P (X≤ x) for every real number x , we call F ( x) , the cumulative distribution function or distribution function of the random variable X and its common abbreviation is cdf .

Definition 11.4: (cumulative distribution function)

The cumulative distribution function F ( x) of a discrete random variable X , taking the values x1 , x2 , x3 , such that x1 < x2 < x3 < … with probability mass function f (xi) is

( x) = P ( X  x ) = xi≤x f ( xi ), ∈ ℝ


The distribution function of a discrete random variable is known as Discrete Distribution Function. Although, the probability mass function f ( x) is defined only for a set of discrete values x1x2 , x3 , . . . , the cumulative distribution function F ( x) is defined for all real values of x  .

We can compute the cumulative distribution function using the probability mass function


If X takes only a finite number of values x1 , x2 , x3 , . . . xn , where x1 < x2 < x3 <, . . .  xn , then the cumulative distribution function is given by


For a discrete random variable X, the cumulative distribution function satisfies the following properties.

(i) 0  F (x 1 , for all x  .

(ii) F ( x) is real valued non-decreasing function { x < y, then F ( x) ≤ ( y) .

(iii) F ( x) is right continuous function (limx→a+ F(x) =  (a) .

(iv) lim x → -∞ (x) = F(-∞) = 0 .

(v) lim x → +∞ (x) = F(+∞) = 1 .

(vi) (x1 < X ≤  x2 ) = F (x2) − F (x1).

(vii) (X > x) = 1 − P (X≤ x) = 1 − F (x) .

(viii) ( X = xk ) = F( xk )  F( xk ) .

Note

Some authors use left continuity in the definition of a cumulative distribution function F ( x) , instead of right continuity.

Tags : Probability Distributions | Mathematics , 12th Maths : UNIT 11 : Probability Distributions
Study Material, Lecturing Notes, Assignment, Reference, Wiki description explanation, brief detail
12th Maths : UNIT 11 : Probability Distributions : Cumulative Distribution Function or Distribution Function | Probability Distributions | Mathematics

Related Topics

12th Maths : UNIT 11 : Probability Distributions


Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, DMCA Policy and Compliant

Copyright © 2018-2023 BrainKart.com; All Rights Reserved. Developed by Therithal info, Chennai.