Exponential distribution

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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

[edit intro]

The exponential distribution is any member of a class of continuous probability distributions assigning probability

e−x/μ

to the interval [x, ∞), for x ≥ 0\.

It is well suited to model lifetimes of things that don't "wear out", among other things.

The exponential distribution is one of the most important elementary distributions.

## Contents

* 1 A basic introduction to the concept
* 1.1 Formal definition
* 2 See also
* 3 Related topics
* 4 References

## A basic introduction to the concept[edit]

The main and unique characteristic of the exponential distribution is that the conditional probabilities satisfy P(X > x + s | X > x) = P(X > s) for all x, s ≥ 0\.

### Formal definition[edit]

Let X be a real, positive stochastic variable with probability density function

f(x)=λe−λx

for x ≥ 0\. Then X follows the exponential distribution with parameter λ.

## See also[edit]

* Continuous probability distribution
* Probability
* Probability theory

## Related topics[edit]

* Poisson distribution

## References[edit]