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Exponential distribution: setup, memorylessness, use cases.

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Answer

  • X ~ Exp(λ): time between events in a Poisson process.
  • PDF: f(x) = λ * e^(-λx) for x ≥ 0.
  • E[X] = 1/λ; Var(X)  =  1/λ2\operatorname{Var}(X)\; = \;1 / {\lambda}^{2}.
  • Memoryless: P(X  >  s+t    X  >  s)  =  P(X  >  t)P(X\; > \;s + t\; \mid \;X\; > \;s)\; = \;P(X\; > \;t) — the only continuous distribution with this property.
  • Uses: waiting times (until next call, next failure), radioactive decay, survival analysis (constant hazard rate).
Check yourself — multiple choice
  • E = λ
  • Waiting times in Poisson process; f(x) = λe^(-λx); E = 1/λ, Var  =  1/λ2\operatorname{Var}\; = \;1 / {\lambda}^{2}; memoryless
  • Discrete only
  • Var = λ

Exponential: E = 1/λ, memoryless, waiting times.

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