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statistical distribution

statistical distribution

1 5.3
A way to show how often different values occur in data like test scores
  • noun
  • /stəˈtɪstɪkəl dɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : distribución estadística
  • By studying the statistical distribution of age groups, the company could target its advertising more effectively.

Examples

  • The statistical distribution was used to analyze the overall form of the data set.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The selected features are optimized based on their statistical distribution.

    Academic text (2016)
  • The data were examined to determine the statistical distribution of ozone concentrations over the four years.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The determination of normal and significant deviations is based on the statistical distribution of prior observations of the variable.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Descriptive statistics were computed for the data set, including the determination of the data's statistical distribution.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The null hypothesis condition was set to be that the average measured WDPTs pertaining to the plots are equal and belong to the same statistical distribution.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The report included a graph showing the statistical distribution of test scores from the survey.

  • Researchers analyzed the statistical distribution of rainfall to better understand climate patterns.

Synonyms

distribution
vsstatistical distribution
  • Specialized
43 4.9

How numbers spread across a set of results, often shown on a graph

is the more specific arrangement often shown as a function or table
frequency distribution
vsstatistical distribution
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A table or chart that shows how often each value appears in a set of data

includes that but also shows possible values and probabilities
distro
vsstatistical distribution
  • Jargon
7.5

How values or chances are spread across a set of data

is the neutral technical expression rather than informal slang

How Concentrated

point mass
  • Specialized
1 7.9
statistical distribution
  • Specialized
1 5.3
distribution
  • Specialized
43 4.9
equidistribution
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

statistical + distribution

The phrase is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'statistical' specifies the domain and 'distribution' names the arrangement of values, so the combined meaning (the distribution of data in a statistical sense) is directly derivable from the parts. Although somewhat technical, this compositional pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

The term statistical distribution comes from a simple picture: statistical means 'about numbers' and distribution means 'how things are given out or spread'. Imagine putting scores or marbles into different boxes and counting them; you see each value and 'how often' it happens, so the phrase means how the values are arranged and 'how often' each one appears.