What are some real-world applications of the Poisson distribution?

What are some real-world applications of the Poisson distribution?

The Poisson distribution is often used in scenarios where events occur independently over a fixed interval. For example, it can model the number of emails received in an hour or the number of phone calls at a call center.

Can you give me more examples?

Sure! It's also used in traffic flow analysis, predicting the number of accidents at a traffic intersection, and in healthcare to model the number of patients arriving at an emergency room.

How does it differ from the normal distribution?

The Poisson distribution is discrete and models countable events, while the normal distribution is continuous and models data that can take any value. They are used in different contexts based on the nature of the data.

Are there any limitations to using the Poisson distribution?

Yes, one limitation is that it assumes the average rate of occurrence is constant, which may not hold true in all situations. Additionally, it may not be suitable for events that are not independent.