Poisson approximation to the normal

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SUMMARY

The Poisson approximation to the normal distribution is valid for lambda values greater than 10, ideally greater than 32, as established by the central limit theorem (CLT). The Berry-Esseen theorem provides a bound on the difference between the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of a sample mean and the normal CDF, which is relevant for this approximation. To apply this theorem, one can express a high-frequency Poisson process as a sum of low-frequency independent and identically distributed (iid) Poisson processes, adjusting the parameter n to achieve the desired accuracy.

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  • Understanding of the central limit theorem (CLT)
  • Familiarity with Poisson distribution and its properties
  • Knowledge of the Berry-Esseen theorem
  • Basic concepts of independent and identically distributed (iid) random variables
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  • Learn about the properties of the Poisson distribution in depth
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rhyno89
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So my book merely mentions that this holds as a result of the central limit theorem for values of lambda greater than 10, but ideally greater than 32.

Anyway I was wondering if anyone knew this actual proof as I am interested in seeing it step by step and I could not have found it anywhere that I have looked.

Thanks
 
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I can't give you an off hand answer, but it is essentially based on the central limit theorem. Similar result holds for binomial distribution.
 
Last edited:
The Berry-Esseen theorem is similar to CLT but gives a bound on the difference between the CDF of a sample mean and the normal CDF, in terms of n and the third moment.

To use this theorem here, for example, write a high-frequency Poisson as a sum of low-frequency iid Poissons (e.g. \lambda=n.f where f is a value between 0.9 and 1) and then find the value of n that gives the required accuracy.
 

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