What is width of distribution in error analysis?

[Punky]

Hello!

I know this is going to sound like a very basic question, but I'm working on a report about error analysis and I was wondering what width of distribution is.

 

[Claude Bile]

My guess would be it is in reference to the Standard Deviation, which is a measure of the width of a Gaussian distribution.

Claude.

 

[Punky]

Thanks! For standard deviation, when you say width of the curve is that from the peak to another point?

 

[Claude Bile]

You can define a full-width half-maximum which is the separation between the two points on the distribution that a half the peak value. This value is related to the Standard deviation via a scaling constant (I'll leave you to look that up).

Claude.

 

[Punky]

Thanks so much for your help!