Circular distribution

<p>In <a href="/facts/Probability/fgYvMhwb">probability</a> and <a href="/facts/Statistics/DNPsKGYU">statistics</a>, a circular distribution or polar distribution is a <a href="/facts/Probability_distribution/EpsKKVRu">probability distribution</a> of a <a href="/facts/Random_variable/TwTBXnLT">random variable</a> whose values are angles, usually taken to be in the range [0, 2<i>π</i>). A circular distribution is often a <a href="/facts/Continuous_probability_distribution/EpsKKVRu">continuous probability distribution</a>, and hence has a <a href="/facts/Probability_density_function/zvfybna4">probability density</a>, but such distributions can also be <a href="/facts/Discrete_probability_distribution/EpsKKVRu">discrete</a>, in which case they are called circular lattice distributions. Circular distributions can be used even when the variables concerned are not explicitly angles: the main consideration is that there is not usually any real distinction between events occurring at the opposite ends of the range, and the division of the range could notionally be made at any point.
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Circular distribution open-in-new

Circular distribution