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Rate function
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Mathematics/pxTouaz4">mathematics</a> — specifically, in <a href="/facts/Large_deviations_theory/a0Agllmb">large deviations theory</a> — a rate function is a function used to quantify the <a href="/facts/Probability/fgYvMhwb">probabilities</a> of rare events. Such functions are used to formulate large deviation principles. A large deviation principle quantifies the asymptotic probability of rare events for a sequence of probabilities. </p><p>A rate function is also called a Cramér function, after the Swedish probabilist <a href="/facts/Harald_Cram%C3%A9r/BWylq7t8">Harald Cramér</a>. </p>