Exponential distribution
Positive memoryless waits with many short observations and occasional long ones.
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Shape previewShort durations are most likely, with a long right tail.
Relative densityDuration (seconds)
- mean
- 5 s
- Use when
- Positive memoryless waits with many short observations and occasional long ones.
- Avoid when
- There is a strong minimum, maximum, or typical peak away from zero.
- Support
- Zero and positive values, with no upper bound.
- Parameters
- Mean duration; rate is the reciprocal of the mean.
- Common mistake
- Using exponential for a task with a setup minimum or a clear most-likely duration away from zero.
- Example
- A memoryless waiting time where elapsed time does not change the remaining likelihood.