2. Probability Distribution Functions: Revisitations and Nonparametric Estimations

Topics, Class Notes and Code Assignments and Recommended Readings
  • Probability Distribution Functions
    • Cumulative distribution function (CDF), $F(x)$, and properties
    • Probability density function (pdf), $f(x)$, and properties
  • Concepts of Life-time Distributions
    • Survival function: $S(x) = 1 - F(x)$, analogous to $F(x)$
    • Hazard rate function $h(x) = f(x)/S(x)$, analougous to $f(x)$
  • Non-parametric Estimation of Distribution
    • Empirical cumulative distribution function (ECDF): $F_n(x)$
    • Kernel density estimation (KDE): $\hat{f}_h(x)=\frac{1}{nh} \sum_{i=1}^n K[(x-x_i)/n]$
  • Lecture Note
    • Probability Distribution and Estimation[HTML]
  • Shape Analysis
    • Density Shape: modeling statistical processes and quality.
    • Hazard Rate Shape: modeling survival and reliability failure.
    • CDF: comparing two distributions visually and statistially.
  • R libraries and Functions
    • R base libraries: commonly use parametric distributions
    • Familiar with R function ecdf()
    • Familiar with R function density()
  • Written Assignment #1:
  • Due: Tuesday, 2/3/2026 at 11:30 PM