Hi, Frank, --- F Norin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >Note: There are also distributions that are neither discrete, continuous > > > or a mixture of the two. For example, there are numerous distributions > > > based upon the Cantor ternary sets. > > > > Practical counter-examples like what you have above are more compelling ;-) > > Sure, a standard example of a Cantor ternary set distribution can be created > like this: [deletia] > Distributions like this are actually used in practical applications as > probability models within fields such as biophysics, molecular biology and > quantum mechanics.
Do you have any references for the quantum physics cases? I certainly didn't specialize in quantum physics (plasma physics typically uses almost everything _but_ quantum physics), but I did get as far as a EE graduate course in QED and never encountered such probability models. Maybe it's because I wasn't in a physics department or ever really encountered molecular models in what I was studying? Honestly, I doubt most of the users of Commons Math will be needing this kind of distribution, but I guess if we merge in (parts of) Colt, we might end up attracting that kind of user. In any case, I learned something new today, which is cool. Al > [Proving that X is a probability distribution isn't exactly trivial- it > requires rather advanced concepts from measure theory, see Chung, "A course > in Probability Theory", Academic Press (1974), p.12-13, for a rigorous > treatment of this.] > > > > >but if you want a completely generic and typesafe definition you should > > >go for something like > > > > > >public interface ProbabilityDistribution { > > > public Probability distributionFunction(Number x); > > >} > > > > I think we can make it work with doubles and don't see a big loss there. I > > guess this is where I get off the bus ;-) -- though I see your point. > > Ok, but I do think there is a strong case for having a separate Probability > class. > > /Frank N --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]