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Download a pdf copy of this help file here |
Format: VoseDiscrete({xi}, {pi}, U)
The Discrete distribution is a general type of function used to describe a variable that can take one of several explicit discrete values {xi} and where a probability weight {pi} is assigned to each value. For example, the number of bridges to be built over a motorway extension or the number of times a software module will have to be re-coded after testing. An example of the Discrete distribution is shown below:
A Discrete distribution is also particularly useful to describe probabilistic branching. For example, a firm estimates that it will sell Normal(120,10) tonnes of weed killer next year unless a rival firm comes out with a competing product, in which case it estimates it sales will drop to Normal(85,9) tonnes. It also estimates that there is a 30% chance of the competing product appearing. This could be modelled by:
Sales = Discrete(A1:A2,B1:B2) where the cells A1:B2 contain the formulae:
A1: =Normal (120, 10)
A2: =Normal (85, 9)
B1: 70%
B2: 30%
VoseDiscrete generates values from this distribution or calculates a percentile.
VoseDiscreteObject constructs a distribution object for this distribution. Professional and Industrial editions only.
VoseDiscreteProb returns the probability mass or cumulative distribution function for this distribution. Professional and Industrial editions only.
VoseDiscreteProb10 returns the log10 of the probability mass or cumulative distribution function. Professional and Industrial editions only.
VoseDiscreteFit generates values from this distribution fitted to data, or calculates a percentile from the fitted distribution. Professional and Industrial editions only.
VoseDiscreteFitObject constructs a distribution object of this distribution fitted to data. Professional and Industrial editions only.
VoseDiscreteFitP returns the parameters of this distribution fitted to data. Professional and Industrial editions only.
