Poisson distribution

Statistics.

A probability model used where discrete events occur in a continuum.

For example, the number of phone calls received in a given time period.

The Poisson distribution can be a useful model for processes where:

1. Continuous observation is needed, rather than a number of independent trials.
2. The random variable takes a positive whole number value.
3. The expected number of occurrences is known or can be estimated, and
4. Primary interest is in the number of times an event occurs within a particular period.

See also

• Discrete random variable
• Binomial distribution
• Frequency distribution
• Probability