What is the physical or statistical meaning of this integral

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the physical and statistical interpretation of a specific integral involving a Gaussian function, which describes transition frequency fluctuations in a gaseous system. Participants explore the implications of the integral's equality over different intervals and its potential statistical meaning.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the statistical meaning of the integral, suggesting it may relate to the most-probable value but expresses confusion about the implications of the point \vartheta = a.
  • Another participant proposes that the integral represents the 50% likelihood range, indicating that there is a 50% chance the result will fall between ±a, applicable to any symmetric probability distribution.
  • A later reply emphasizes the requirement for the probability distribution to have a norm of unity, suggesting that the integral over the entire positive domain must equal 1.
  • Participants discuss the mathematical basis for the 50% likelihood interpretation, referencing basic principles of adding integrals over different intervals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the statistical interpretation of the integral, with some supporting the idea of a 50% likelihood range while others remain uncertain about the implications of \vartheta = a. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the meaning of the integral.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions about the domain of the integral and the nature of the probability distribution, which are not fully resolved in the discussion.

jam_27
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What is the physical or statistical meaning of the following integral

[tex]\int^{a}_{o} g(\vartheta) d(\vartheta)[/tex] = [tex]\int^{\infty}_{a} g(\vartheta) d(\vartheta)[/tex]

where [tex]g(\vartheta)[/tex] is a Gaussian in [tex]\vartheta[/tex] describing the transition frequency fluctuation in a gaseous system (assume two-level and inhomogeneous) .

[tex]\vartheta = \omega_{0} -\omega[/tex], where [tex]\omega_{0}[/tex] is the peak frequency and [tex]\omega[/tex] the running frequency.

I can see that the integral finds a point [tex]\vartheta = a[/tex] for which the area under the curve (the Gaussian) between 0 to a and a to [tex]\infty[/tex] are equal.

But is there a statistical meaning to this integral? Does it find something like the most-probable value [tex]\vartheta = a[/tex]? But the most probable value should be [tex]\vartheta = 0[/tex] in my understanding! So what does the point [tex]\vartheta = a[/tex] tell us?

I will be grateful if somebody can explain this and/or direct me to a reference.

Cheers

Jamy
 
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jam_27 said:
[tex]\int^{a}_{o} g(\vartheta) d(\vartheta)[/tex] = [tex]\int^{\infty}_{a} g(\vartheta) d(\vartheta)[/tex]

But is there a statistical meaning to this integral?

Hi Jamy! :smile:

It's the 50% likelihood range …

50% likely that the result will be between ±a

(and it works for any symmetric probability distribution, not just Gaussian :wink:)
 
tiny-tim said:
Hi Jamy! :smile:

It's the 50% likelihood range …

50% likely that the result will be between ±a

(and it works for any symmetric probability distribution, not just Gaussian :wink:)

Thanks a ton for the reply. Could you please provide a reference/book. I want to see how its 50% likely.
Cheers
Jamy:smile:
 
Well I suppose the domain is on positive values. For it to be a probability distribution its norm should be unity.

[tex]\int^{\infty}_{o} g(\vartheta) d(\vartheta) = 1[/tex]

The 50% follows from 11th grade math, by the rules of how to add integrals over different intervals.
 

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