Question

How does the normal distribution differ form the Poisson distribution?

Answer 1

n `rarr` `oo` , p `rarr` 0 in Binomial b(n,p), the distribution becomes Poisson ( still discrete) whereas n `rarr` `oo`and p`rarr` 1/2, b(n,p) tends to N(np,`sqrt` npq), which is continuous.

Explanation:

Normal distribution is continuous and symmetric. Its curve is bell-shaped and mesokurtic. Poisson distribution is positively skewed. It is discrete. Its mean, variance and third central moment is the same, namely m = np.