Illustration of The Central Limit Theorem

Illustration Of The Central Limit Theorem

This article gives two concrete illustrations of the central limit theorem. Both involve the sum of independent and identically-distributed random variables and show how the probability distribution of the sum approaches the normal distribution as the number of terms in the sum increases.

The first illustration involves a continuous probability distribution, for which the random variables have a probability density function.

The second illustration, for which most of the computation can be done by hand, involves a discrete probability distribution, which is characterized by a probability mass function.

A free full-featured interactive simulation that allows the user to set up various distributions and adjust the sampling parameters is available through the External links section at the bottom of this page.

Read more about Illustration Of The Central Limit Theorem:  Illustration of The Continuous Case, Illustration of The Discrete Case

Famous quotes containing the words illustration of, illustration, central, limit and/or theorem:

    What is character but the determination of incident? What is incident but the illustration of character?
    Henry James (1843–1916)

    An illustration is no argument,—nor do I maintain the wiping of a looking-glass clean, to be a syllogism;Mbut you all, may it please your worships, see the better for it.
    Laurence Sterne (1713–1768)

    The best laws cannot make a constitution work in spite of morals; morals can turn the worst laws to advantage. That is a commonplace truth, but one to which my studies are always bringing me back. It is the central point in my conception. I see it at the end of all my reflections.
    Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859)

    ... there are two types of happiness and I have chosen that of the murderers. For I am happy. There was a time when I thought I had reached the limit of distress. Beyond that limit, there is a sterile and magnificent happiness.
    Albert Camus (1913–1960)

    To insure the adoration of a theorem for any length of time, faith is not enough, a police force is needed as well.
    Albert Camus (1913–1960)