Preferred Label : distribution function;
Detailed label : distribution function in polymers;
IUPAC definition : A normalized function giving the relative amount of a portion of a polymeric substance
with a specific value, or a range of values, of a random variable or variables.;
Scope note : normalization requires that: (i) for a discrete differential distribution function,
the sum of the function values over all possible values of the random variable(s)
be unity; (ii) for a continuous differential distribution function, the integral over
the entire range of the random variable(s) be unity; (iii) for an integral (cumulative)
distribution function, the function value at the upper limit of the random variable(s)
be unity.; distribution functions may be integral (or cumulative), i.e. give the proportion of
the population for which a random variable is less than or equal to a given value.
alternatively they may be differential distribution functions (or probability density
functions), i.e. give the (maybe infinitesimal) proportion of the population for which
the random variable(s) is (are) within a (maybe infinitesimal) interval of its (their)
range(s).; distribution functions may be discrete, i.e. take on only certain specified values
of the random variable(s), or continuous, i.e. take on any intermediate value of the
random variable(s), in a given range. most distributions in polymer science are intrinsically
discrete, but it is often convenient to regard them as continuous or to use distribution
functions that are inherently continuous.;
Origin ID : D01815;
See also
A normalized function giving the relative amount of a portion of a polymeric substance
with a specific value, or a range of values, of a random variable or variables.
