Graph analysis - how closely histogram fits poisson curve

[Platypus26]

Homework Statement

Its about random radioactive decay. I have a histogram showing the number of counts recorded in 3 second intervals and I've drawn the Poisson Curve on the same graph.

I have a graph for 50 intervals and one for 100 intervals and I need to analyse how well the data agrees with Poisson Distribution...and see if the 100 interval graph is any better than the 50 intervals.


2. Homework Equations

n/a

3. The Attempt at a Solution

I was thinking I should add up the differences between each bar on the histogram and the curve...subtracting the ones under the curve and adding the ones above. I'm sure this has a name in statistics and I need to know what it is - that's basically my question.

What is the name of this graph analysis/statistics thing that I'm using? Or should I be doing something else?


I posted this in Physics first but I think it might be better in here...I just want to know what to look up in order to find out how to analyse my graphs!..

 

[Sirsh]

Finding area under a curve is apart of calculus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integral