Bernoulli distribution facts for kids
The Bernoulli distribution is a special idea in probability and statistics. It helps us understand events that have only two possible outcomes. Think of it like a "yes or no" or "success or failure" situation.
This distribution gives a value of 1 if an event happens (like getting "heads" when you flip a coin). It gives a value of 0 if the event does not happen (like getting "tails"). The chance of the event happening is called p. So, the chance of it not happening is 1 minus p.
The Bernoulli distribution is named after a Swiss scientist named Jacob Bernoulli. He was a very important mathematician.
What is the Bernoulli Distribution?
The Bernoulli distribution is super useful for understanding simple experiments. It's perfect for situations where there are only two possible results. For example:
- Flipping a coin: It either lands on heads or tails.
- A light switch: It's either on or off.
- A test question: You either get it right or wrong.
If the event you are looking for happens (like getting "heads"), we call that a "success" and give it the value 1. If it doesn't happen (like getting "tails"), we call that a "failure" and give it the value 0.
How it Works
This distribution has just one important number, called a parameter. This parameter is p, which stands for the probability (or chance) of a "success."
For example, if you flip a fair coin, the chance of getting heads (your "success") is 0.5 (or 50%). So, p would be 0.5. The chance of getting tails (your "failure") would be 1 - 0.5 = 0.5.
The Bernoulli distribution is like the basic building block for more complex probability ideas. If you do a Bernoulli experiment many times, you start to see patterns.
See also
In Spanish: Distribución Bernoulli para niños
