joint distribution

the pattern of values obtained when estimating the probability of occurrence of two or more random variables. For example, the probability values for drawing a heart and a jack in a deck of cards would form the following joint distribution: (13/52) × (48/52) to obtain a heart but not a jack; (39/52) × (48/52) to obtain a nonheart and a nonjack; (39/52) × (4/52) to obtain a nonheart and a jack; and (13/52) × (4/52) to obtain a heart that is also a jack. A joint distribution for two variables is referred to more specifically as a bivariate distribution, whereas a joint distribution for more than two variables is called a multivariate distribution.

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Psychology term of the day

May 9th 2024

contraception

n. any method intended to prevent conception, that is, the natural fertilization of the female ovum by the male spermatozoa. See birth control. —contraceptive n., adj.