- #1
"Half of normal distribution"
- Context: High School
- Thread starter zasvitim
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the characterization of a distribution that describes a "broken" Galton box, with participants exploring potential names and formulas for such a distribution. The conversation includes references to various types of distributions, including half-normal and truncated normal distributions, and touches on the implications of sample size on the distribution's behavior.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that the distribution could be referred to as a half-normal distribution.
- Others argue that the example of the halved Galton Board might be better described by a truncated normal distribution.
- One participant notes that the distribution's behavior is different, as it grows from 0 because particles cannot reach that area.
- Another participant mentions that if the distribution differs significantly from the half-normal due to a small sample, it might be informally called a "half binomial," though this lacks authoritative backing.
- There is a suggestion that without a formal equation, the discussion remains speculative.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the appropriate name and characteristics of the distribution, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain unresolved.
Contextual Notes
There are references to the behavior of distributions based on sample size, and the discussion highlights the lack of a formal equation to define the proposed distributions, which contributes to the uncertainty in the conversation.
- #2
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Yes, skip the "of": half-normal distribution.zasvitim said:
I guess, your example of the halved Galton Board is better described by the truncated normal distribution.
- #3
- #4
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You mean a bit like this:zasvitim said:
I can only see that the parameters differ.
- #5
zasvitim
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It's value grows from 0 as particle can not get there - gets out. It's definitely different behaviour.fresh_42 said:
Last edited:
- #6
FactChecker
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The Galton box was intended to show that the binomial distribution approached a normal distribution as the sample gets large. If your distribution differs significantly from the "half normal" due to a small sample, then you might call if a "half binomial". I see it called that on some internet web sites. But that name might be informal. I don't see any authoritative name for it. There are several references to "truncated binomial" and it looks like a reasonably well recognized name.
- #7
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As long as we don't have an equation, we are stuck in guesswork.zasvitim said:
- #8
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zasvitim said:
Yes, but you are obviously not satisfied with what they came up with. I'm simply trying to quantify your dissatisfaction.
- #9
berkeman
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Thread closed temporarily for Moderation.
- #10
PeterDonis
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After moderator review, the thread will remain closed.
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