Difference between revisions of "Cumulative distribution function"

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(New page: In probability theory, a ''cumulative distribution function'' ''F(x)'' of a probability density function say ''f(x)'' is a real valued and continuous function whose value is the p...)
 
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In [[probability theory]], a ''cumulative distribution function''  ''F(x)'' of a [[probability density function]] say ''f(x)'' is a real valued and continuous function whose value is the proportion of probability values of a variable which occur on the part real line up and including the value of that variable; i.e.,
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In [[probability theory]], a ''cumulative distribution function''  ''F(x)'' of a [[probability density function]] say ''f(x)'' is a real valued and continuous function whose value is the proportion of probability values of a variable which occur on the part of the real line up and including the value of that variable; i.e.,
  
  
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(2) <math> F(\infty) = 1 </math>,  i.e., finitely convergent (to unity by convention).
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(2) <math> \lim_{x \to \infty}F(x) = 1 </math>,  i.e., finitely convergent (to unity by convention).
  
  
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If the [[domain]] of the variable is [[finite]], then the argument in equation (2) above should be the upper bounds.
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If the [[domain]] of the variable is [[finite]], then the upper limit equation (2) above should be the upper bound.
  
  
 
[[Category:mathematics]]
 
[[Category:mathematics]]

Revision as of 14:15, December 31, 2007

In probability theory, a cumulative distribution function F(x) of a probability density function say f(x) is a real valued and continuous function whose value is the proportion of probability values of a variable which occur on the part of the real line up and including the value of that variable; i.e.,


<math> F(x) = \int_{-\infty}^x \,f(\lambda)\,d\lambda</math>


Due to the properties of the probability density function f(x), the cumulative distribution function F(x) will have the following properties:


(1) <math> F(x) \geq 0 </math> <math> \forall x </math> inside its domain of support.


(2) <math> \lim_{x \to \infty}F(x) = 1 </math>, i.e., finitely convergent (to unity by convention).


(3) <math> F(a) \leq F(b) </math> for a<b, i.e., is non-decreasing


If the domain of the variable is finite, then the upper limit equation (2) above should be the upper bound.