The Gaussian distribution

Last updated on 2024-03-12 | Edit this page

Estimated time: 2 minutes

Overview

Questions

  • What is the Gaussian distribution and what kind of data is it used on?

Objectives

  • Refresh the Gaussian distribution.
  • Give examples what it is used on.

The Gaussian distribution


We covered the Gaussian – also known as Normal distribution earlier in this tutorial as an example, and you have most likely come across it before.

It is applicable to repeated measurements of the same thing, for example

  • frog lengths,
  • temperatures or
  • pixel intensities.
plot of Gaussian distribution
Gaussian probability density function

The Gaussian distribution is continuous and has two parameters:

  • the mean, which is estimated by the sample mean, and
  • the variance, which is estimated by the sample variance.