Selected Models of Discrete Variables

Abstract

Discrete random variables are often applied to engineering and science problems when analysing the number occurrence of a certain event. An elementary but fundamental type of discrete variable that attains only two different values is described by alternative distribution. It can be generalized for a countable number of trial repetitions into binomial and hypergeometric distribution. Time-dependent event are often described by Poisson distribution. The other types of discrete distributions including geometric, negative binomial and multinomial distribution are applied less frequently. In addition to specific distribution parameters, the usual moment parameters, particularly the mean and standard deviation, are used to characterise the distributions. A review of theoretical models provides Appendix 2.