Lesson 12: The Poisson Distribution

Overview Section

In this lesson, we learn about another specially named discrete probability distribution, namely the Poisson distribution.

Upon completion of this lesson, you should be able to:

To learn the situation that makes a discrete random variable a Poisson random variable.
To learn a heuristic derivation of the probability mass function of a Poisson random variable.
To learn how to use the Poisson p.m.f. to calculate probabilities for a Poisson random variable.
To learn how to use a standard Poisson cumulative probability table to calculate probabilities for a Poisson random variable.
To explore the key properties, such as the moment-generating function, mean and variance, of a Poisson random variable.
To learn how to use the Poisson distribution to approximate binomial probabilities.
To understand the steps involved in each of the proofs in the lesson.
To be able to apply the methods learned in the lesson to new problems.