Approximations of Distributions (CIE A Level Maths: Probability & Statistics 2)

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Normal Approximation of Poisson

When can I use a normal distribution to approximate a Poisson distribution?

  • A Poisson distribution X tilde P o left parenthesis lambda right parenthesis  can be approximated by a normal distribution X subscript N tilde N left parenthesis mu comma sigma squared right parenthesis  provided
    • lambda is sufficiently large ( > 15)
  • Remember that the mean and variance of a Poisson distribution are approximately equal, therefore the parameters of the approximating distribution will be:
    • mu equals lambda
    • sigma squared equals lambda
    • sigma equals square root of lambda
  • The greater the value of λ in a Poisson distribution, the more symmetrical the distribution becomes and the closer it resembles the bell-shaped curve of a normal distribution

2-4-2-approximations-of-distributions-diagram-1

What are continuity corrections?

  • The Poisson distribution is discrete and the normal distribution is continuous
  • A continuity correction takes this into account when using a normal approximation
  • The probability being found will need to be changed from a discrete variable, X to a continuous variable, XN
    • For example, X = 4 for Poisson can be thought of as begin mathsize 16px style 3.5 less or equal than X subscript N less than 4.5 end style  for normal as every number within this interval rounds to 4
    • Remember that for a normal distribution the probability of a single value is zero so begin mathsize 16px style P left parenthesis 3.5 less or equal than X subscript N less than 4.5 right parenthesis equals P left parenthesis 3.5 less than X subscript N less than 4.5 right parenthesis end style

Do I need to use continuity corrections?

  • Yes!
  • As the Poisson distribution X is discrete and normal distribution XN is continuous you will need to use continuity corrections
    • begin mathsize 16px style straight P left parenthesis X equals k right parenthesis almost equal to straight P left parenthesis k minus 0.5 less than X subscript N less than k plus 0.5 right parenthesis end style

How do I approximate a probability?

  • STEP 1: Find the mean and variance of the approximating distribution
    • begin mathsize 16px style mu equals sigma squared equals lambda end style
  • STEP 2: Apply continuity corrections to the inequality
  • STEP 3: Find the probability of the new corrected inequality
    • Find the standard normal probability and use the table of the normal distribution
  • The probability will not be exact as it is an approximation but provided λ is large enough (approximately > 15) then it will be a close approximation

Worked example

The number of hits on a revision web page per hour can be modelled by the Poisson distribution with a mean of 40.  Find the probability that there are more than 50 hits on the webpage in a given hour.

2-4-2-approximations-of-distributions-we-solution-1

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Poisson Approximation of Binomial

When can I use a Poisson distribution to approximate a binomial distribution?

  • A binomial distribution B(n,p)can be approximated by a Poisson distribution provided
    • n is large ( typically >  50 )
    • p is small
    • np is approximately less than 5
  • The mean of a binomial distribution can be calculated by:
    • begin mathsize 16px style lambda equals n p end style
  • The Poisson distribution is derived from the binomial distribution for conditions where n is becoming infinitely large and p is becoming infinitely small

Do I need to use continuity corrections?

  • No!
  • As both the binomial distribution and Poisson distribution are discrete there is no need for continuity corrections

Worked example

It is known that one person in a thousand who checks a revision website will choose to subscribe. Given that the website received 3000 hits yesterday, find the probability that more than 5 people subscribed.

2-4-2-approximations-of-distributions-we-solution-2

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Choosing the Approximation

How will I choose which approximation to use?

  • When deciding what approximating distribution to use first make sure you know the reason why you cannot find the probability using the original distribution
    • Is the value of n or λ too large?
    • Will it take too long to carry out the calculations?
  • Make sure you know what distribution you are approximating from
    • If your distribution is a binomial distribution, you could either use a Poisson or a normal approximation
    • If your distribution is a Poisson distribution, you will use a normal approximation
  • Use the conditions for approximations to decide which approximation is appropriate
  • Calculate the parameters for the approximating distribution

2-4-2-choosing-approximations-diagram-1

Examiner Tip

  • If you are unsure, use the normal distribution to approximate the Poisson and the Poisson distribution to approximate the binomial as these are the two you will be examined on in Statistics 2. However, you should make sure you know the conditions for the normal approximation to the binomial as this may be tested.

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Amber

Author: Amber

Expertise: Maths

Amber gained a first class degree in Mathematics & Meteorology from the University of Reading before training to become a teacher. She is passionate about teaching, having spent 8 years teaching GCSE and A Level Mathematics both in the UK and internationally. Amber loves creating bright and informative resources to help students reach their potential.