AI engineering glossary · Probability
What is CDF (cumulative distribution function)?
Cumulative distribution function (also called CDF): A function giving the probability that a random variable is less than or equal to a given value: F(x) = P(X <= x). It rises from 0 to 1, works for both discrete and continuous variables, and is used to find percentiles and interval probabilities.
Cumulative distribution function: an example
For a die, F(4) = 4/6. Then P(2 < X <= 5) = F(5) - F(2) = 5/6 - 2/6 = 0.5.
Related terms
More Probability terms
- Dependent events
- Discrete random variable
- Empirical probability
- Empirical rule
- Event
- Evidence
- Exhaustive events
- Expected value
Where you learn it
Cumulative distribution function is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.