SCHOOL OF ADVANCED SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
FALL SEMESTER – 2020~2021
MAT2001 – Statistics for Engineers
(Embedded Theory Component)
COURSE MATERIAL
Module 4
Probability Distributions
Syllabus:
Binomial Distribution – Poisson Distribution – Normal Distribution –
Gamma Distribution – Exponential Distribution – Weibull Distribution.
Prepared By: Prof. K. Kavitha (In-charge)
Prof. M. Gowsalya
Prof. Rajesh Moharana
The course in-charges thankfully acknowledge the course materials preparation
committee in-charge and members for their significant contribution in bringing
out of this course material.
************************************
Dr. D. Easwaramoorthy
Dr. A. Manimaran
Course In-charges – MAT2001-SE,
Fall Semester 2020~2021,
Department of Mathematics,
SAS, VIT, Vellore.
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Exponential Distribution:
Definition: A continuous random variable 𝑋 is said to follow an
exponential distribution with parameter 0, if its probability density
function is given by
𝑓 (𝑥| ) = 𝑒 − x , 𝑥 > 0, > 0.
It is also known as negative exponential distribution.
Mean of the exponential distribution is 1⁄ .
Variance of the exponential distribution is 1⁄ 2 .
The moment generating function of the exponential distribution
is ⁄ − 𝑡 , > 𝑡.
The 𝑟th moment about the origin is 𝑟!⁄ 𝑟 , 𝑟 = 1, 2, 3, . . ..
Examples related to exponential distribution:
Normal Distribution:
Definition: A continuous random variable X is said to have a normal
distribution if its probability function is given by
where 𝜇 and 𝜎 are the mean and standard deviation of the normal random
variable 𝑋, respectively.
If 𝑋 follows normal distribution, then it is denoted by 𝑋~ 𝑁(𝜇, 𝜎). It is also
called as the Gaussian distribution.
Standard Normal Distribution:
𝑋−𝜇
Definition: The standard normal random variable 𝑍 = is said to have a
𝜎
standard normal distribution if its probability function is defined by
A standard normal variate is denoted by 𝑁(0,1). The standard normal
distribution is also known as a Z-distribution or a unit normal distribution.
Standardization of a normal distribution helps us to make use of the tables of the
area of the standard curve.
Distribution function of a standard normal variable:
Graph of normal distribution:
Area under normal curve:
Area under standard normal curve:
Properties of a normal curve:
In a normal distribution, mean deviation about mean is approximately
4
equal to times its standard deviation.
5
In a normal distribution, the quartiles 𝑄1 and 𝑄3 are equidistant from the
median.
The normal curve is bell shaped and is symmetrical about 𝑋 = 𝜇.
The area bound by the normal curve and the 𝑥-axis equal to 1.
The tails of the curve of a normal distribution extend identically in both
sides of 𝑥 = 𝜇 and never touch the 𝑥-axis.
The moment generating function of a normal distribution with respect to
1
𝜇𝑡+2𝑡 2 𝜎2
origin is 𝑒 .
Examples related to normal distribution: