Function measuring the probability density of an event using a log-normal law; incremental changes of stock prices are almost log-normally distributed.

Function measuring the probability density of an event using the famous bell-shaped curve; incremental changes of bond prices are sometimes normally distributed.

A graph plotting probability against values. There are some typical shapes: normal, uniform, exponential. The normal distribution (bell-shaped) is the most common. See also Normal distribution, population distribution, null distribution.

A formula which gives the probability that a value will fall within prescribed limits.

The set of possible values for a random variable together with a probability measure defining the likelihood of those values.

A vague term that refers to the assumed probability model for a random variable.

The shape of a line for a set of scores when they are plotted on a graph. In a "normal" distribution, the line is shaped like a bell. In a "skewed" distribution, most of the scores clump together at one end while the other scores form a tail that stretches toward the other end of the graph.

(statistics) an arrangement of values of a variable showing their observed or theoretical frequency of occurrence

The range of values of a particular variable.

Summary of the frequencies of the values or categories of a variable.

Measurements on any variable, even the same variable on the same subject will vary. The pattern of variation of a variable is called its distribution, which can be described both mathematically and graphically. In essence, the distribution records all possible numerical values of a variable and how often each value occurs (its frequency). The most well known example of a distribution is the bell-shaped curve.

A distribution shows how many cases, or what proportions of the cases, have each of the values for a variable 22

The relative frequency in which values of a variable in a data sample or in a population are distributed across the range of possible values.

The values of a characteristic or variable along with the frequency of their occurrence. Distributions may be based on empirical observations or may be theoretical probability distributions (e.g., normal, binomial, chi-square).

Arrangement in time or space, or appointment among various classes or class intervals, especially ranges of values of a certain variable. See probability distribution, frequency distribution.