Exponential distribution

Typical exponential distribution curves

The exponential distribution with rate [math]\displaystyle{ \lambda }[/math], written [math]\displaystyle{ \operatorname{Exp}(\lambda) }[/math],^[1] is a probability distribution defined only on the positive real numbers. It is the continuous analogue of geometric distribution.^[2] Exponential distribution is used in reliability applications,^[3] and its main use is to assess the duration of random time intervals. Examples where it can be used include:

Time length of a telephone call
How long does it take to perform a service (for example, to fix something at a service point)
Amount of time between two phone calls
Half life of atoms (radioactive decay)
Expected lifetime of electronic (or other) parts, if wearing is not considered (this is called Mean Time Between Failures, MTBF)
Age of plants or animals
Very simple model used by insurance companies

Exponential Distribution Media

plot of the probability density function of the exponential distribution
Cumulative distribution function
The mean is the probability mass centre, that is, the first moment.
The median is the preimage F−1(1/2).
Tukey criteria for anomalies.^[source?]
Fitted cumulative exponential distribution to annually maximum 1-day rainfalls using CumFreq