When is it appropriate to assume that data fits into a Poisson distribution?

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Answer 1 · 2015-10-25T14:05:55

The Poisson is a discrete random variable. Start by checking to see if the parameters of the data are similar to the Poisson.

The parameters of the Poisson (mean and variance) are equal .

p(x) #=(e^-lamda)(lamda)^x/(x!)#

where, mean = variance #=lamda#

So, if the discrete data has equal mean and variance, then try using the Poisson.

Hope that helps