3.2 Gaussian or normal  3. Probability Distribution Functions  3. Probability Distribution Functions

3.1 Introductory comment

The following sections discusses some probability distribution functions that apply to common measurement situations. The concept of a probability distribution function was discussed briefly in Chapter 2, as a normalized function whose integral gives the probability corresponding to the space of integration. Although the material of this section is readily available elsewhere, it is included here for review and reference. The probability function also determines the expectation value of a function:

$$\langle f(x)\rangle = \int f(x)\phi(x)dx .$$ (3.1)

 

The following are particularly important forms of the probability distribution function.