Difference between Poisson or Binomial Distribution

Poisson or Binomial Distribution?

Poisson Distribution 

• A Poisson Distribution is used, If a mean / average probability of an event happening per unit time/ per page/per mile cycled etc., is given, and you are asked to calculate a probability of n events happening in a given time / number of pages / number of miles cycled.
• It describes the distribution of binary data from a infinite sample. Thus, it gives the probability of getting r events in a population

Binomial Distribution 

• The Binomial Distribution is used when an exact probability of an event happening is given or implied, in the question and you are asked to calculate the probability of this event happening k times out of n.
• It describes the distribution of binary data from a finite sample. Thus, it gives the probability of getting r events out of n trials

Author: Mohit T Algae Study