Finding the best probability distributions suitable for your needs isnt easy. With hundreds of choices can distract you. Knowing whats bad and whats good can be something of a minefield. In this article, weve done the hard work for you.
Best probability distributions
1. Handbook of Statistical Distributions with Applications (Statistics: A Series of Textbooks and Monographs)
Description
Easy-to-Use Reference and Software for Statistical Modeling and Testing
Handbook of Statistical Distributions with Applications, Second Edition provides quick access to common and specialized probability distributions for modeling practical problems and performing statistical calculations. Along with many new examples and results, this edition includes both the authors StatCalc software and R codes to accurately and easily carry out computations.
New to the Second Edition
- Major changes in binomial, Poisson, normal, gamma, Weibull, exponential, logistic, Laplace, and Pareto distributions
- Updated statistical tests and intervals based on recent publications in statistical journals
- Enhanced PC calculator StatCalc with electronic help manuals
- R functions for cases where StatCalc is not applicable, with the codes available online
This highly praised handbook integrates popular probability distribution models, formulas, applications, and software to help you compute a variety of statistical intervals. It covers probability and percentiles, algorithms for random number generation, hypothesis tests, confidence intervals, tolerance intervals, prediction intervals, sample size determination, and much more.
2. Probability Distributions: With Truncated, Log and Bivariate Extensions
Description
This volume presents a concise and practical overview of statistical methods and tables not readily available in other publications. It begins with a review of the commonly used continuous and discrete probability distributions. Several useful distributions that are not so common and less understood are described with examples and applications in full detail: discrete normal, left-partial, right-partial, left-truncated normal, right-truncated normal, lognormal, bivariate normal, and bivariate lognormal. Table values are provided with examples that enable researchers to easily apply the distributions to real applications and sample data. The left- and right-truncated normal distributions offer a wide variety of shapes in contrast to the symmetrically shaped normal distribution, and a newly developed spread ratio enables analysts to determine which of the three distributions best fits a particular set of sample data. The book will be highly useful to anyone who does statistical and probability analysis. This includes scientists, economists, management scientists, market researchers, engineers, mathematicians, and students in many disciplines.3. Statistical Distributions, 4th Edition
Description
A new edition of the trusted guide on commonly used statisticaldistributionsFully updated to reflect the latest developments on the topic,Statistical Distributions, Fourth Edition continues to serveas an authoritative guide on the application of statistical methodsto research across various disciplines. The book provides a concisepresentation of popular statistical distributions along with thenecessary knowledge for their successful use in data modeling andanalysis.
Following a basic introduction, forty popular distributions areoutlined in individual chapters that are complete with relatedfacts and formulas. Reflecting the latest changes and trends instatistical distribution theory, the Fourth Editionfeatures:
- A new chapter on queuing formulas that discusses standardformulas that often arise from simple queuing systems
- Methods for extending independent modeling schemes to thedependent case, covering techniques for generating complexdistributions from simple distributions
- New coverage of conditional probability, including conditionalexpectations and joint and marginal distributions
- Commonly used tables associated with the normal (Gaussian),student-t, F and chi-square distributions
- Additional reviewing methods for the estimation of unknownparameters, such as the method of percentiles, the method ofmoments, maximum likelihood inference, and Bayesian inference
Statistical Distributions, Fourth Edition is an excellentsupplement for upper-undergraduate and graduate level courses onthe topic. It is also a valuable reference for researchers andpractitioners in the fields of engineering, economics, operationsresearch, and the social sciences who conduct statisticalanalyses.
4. Introduction to Probability (Chapman & Hall/CRC Texts in Statistical Science)
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CRC PressDescription
Developed from celebrated Harvard statistics lectures, Introduction to Probability provides essential language and tools for understanding statistics, randomness, and uncertainty. The book explores a wide variety of applications and examples, ranging from coincidences and paradoxes to Google PageRank and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). Additional application areas explored include genetics, medicine, computer science, and information theory. The print book version includes a code that provides free access to an eBook version.
The authors present the material in an accessible style and motivate concepts using real-world examples. Throughout, they use stories to uncover connections between the fundamental distributions in statistics and conditioning to reduce complicated problems to manageable pieces.
The book includes many intuitive explanations, diagrams, and practice problems. Each chapter ends with a section showing how to perform relevant simulations and calculations in R, a free statistical software environment.
5. Chance and Stability, Stable Distributions and Their Applications (Modern Probability and Statistics)
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Chance and Stability Stable Distributions and Their ApplicationsDescription
The series is devoted to the publication of high-level monographs and surveys which cover the whole spectrum of probability and statistics. The books of the series are addressed to both experts and advanced students.
6. Uncertainty: The Soul of Modeling, Probability & Statistics
Description
7. Probability Theory: Introduction to random variables and probability distributions
Description
This book is a guide for you on probability theory. It is a good book for students and practitioners in fields such as finance, engineering, science, technology and others. The book guides on how to approach probability in the right way. Numerous examples have been given, both theoretical and mathematical with a high degree of accuracy. If you have wished to know how to model random and uncertain events, this is the right book for you. The author guides you on how to tackle probabilistic problems using various forms of probability distributions. Probabilities are normally combined using rules. The author has helped you understand how to apply these rules to model your problems. The author has approached the subject in an easy way and by use of real world examples. Numerous stories have been given to help you know how the various distributions are connected and the kind of problems where each distribution should be applied. The author finally helps you know the areas in which probability is applied today. You will also know the various ways you can use probability in your day-to-day activities for your own benefit. It is the best book to help you know how to make better decisions when dealing with random and uncertain events. If you are a student, grab a copy of this book and know how to tackle probability-related problems.The content of this book is:
- What is Probability Theory
- Basic Rules for Combining Probabilities
- Probability Distributions for Discrete Variables
- Binomial Distribution
- Poisson Distribution
- Normal Probability Distributions
- Sampling
- Applications of Probability
Subjects include: probability theory and examples, probability and statistics, probability an introduction, probability theory and statistics for economists, probability for beginners, probability for finance, probabilistic graphical models, probability distributions.
8. Lagrangian Probability Distributions
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Used Book in Good ConditionDescription
Fills a gap in book literature
Examines many new Lagrangian probability distributions and their applications to a variety of different fields
Presents background mathematical and statistical formulas for easy reference
Detailed bibliography and index
Exercises in many chapters
May be used as a reference text or in graduate courses and seminars on Distribution Theory and Lagrangian Distributions
9. Probability Foundations for Engineers
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Used Book in Good ConditionDescription
Suitable for a first course in probability theory and designed specifically for industrial engineering and operations management students, Probability Foundations for Engineers covers theory in an accessible manner and includes numerous practical examples based on engineering applications. Essentially, everyone understands and deals with probability every day in their normal lives. Nevertheless, for some reason, when engineering students who have good math skills are presented with the mathematics of probability theory, there is a disconnect somewhere.
The book begins with a summary of set theory and then introduces probability and its axioms. The author has carefully avoided a theorem-proof type of presentation. He includes all of the theory but presents it in a conversational rather than formal manner, while relying on the assumption that undergraduate engineering students have a solid mastery of calculus. He explains mathematical theory by demonstrating how it is used with examples based on engineering applications. An important aspect of the text is the fact that examples are not presented in terms of "balls in urns". Many examples relate to gambling with coins, dice and cards but most are based on observable physical phenomena familiar to engineering students.
