11/11/24, 11:31 AM Probability Density Function (PDF) - Definition, Formula, Graph, Example

Maths (/maths/) > Math Article (/maths/articles/) > Probability Density Function (/maths/probability-density-function/)

Probability Density Function

In probability theory, a probability density function (PDF) is used to define the random variable’s
probability coming within a distinct range of values, as opposed to taking on any one value. The
function explains the probability density function of normal distribution and how mean and
deviation exists. The standard normal distribution (https://byjus.com/maths/standard-normal-
distribution/) is used to create a database or statistics, often used in science to represent the real-
valued variables whose distribution is unknown. The probability density function is explained here
in this article to clear the students’ concepts in terms of their definition, properties, formulas with
the help of example questions.

In this article, you will learn the probability density function definition, formula, properties,
applications and how to fins the probability density function for a given function along with
example.

What is the Probability Density Function?

The Probability Density Function(PDF) defines the probability function representing the density of a
continuous random variable lying between a specific range of values. In other words, the
probability density function produces the likelihood of values of the continuous random variable.
Sometimes it is also called a probability distribution (https://byjus.com/maths/probability-
distribution/) function or just a probability function. However, this function is stated in many other
sources as the function over a broad set of values. Often it is referred to as cumulative distribution
function or sometimes as probability mass function (https://byjus.com/maths/probability-mass-
function/)(PMF). However, the actual truth is PDF (probability density function ) is defined for
continuous random variables, whereas PMF (probability mass function) is defined for discrete
random variables.

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11/11/24, 11:31 AM Probability Density Function (PDF) - Definition, Formula, Graph, Example

Read more:

Cumulative Distribution Function (https://byjus.com/maths/cumulative-distribution-

function/)

Cumulative Frequency Distribution (https://byjus.com/maths/cumulative-frequency-

distribution/)

Normal distribution Formula (https://byjus.com/normal-distribution-formula/)

Continuous Integration (https://byjus.com/maths/continuous-integration/)

Random variable (https://byjus.com/maths/random-variable/)

Probability Density Function Formula

In the case of a continuous random variable, the probability taken by X on some given value x is
always 0. In this case, if we find P(X = x), it does not work. Instead of this, we must calculate the
probability of X lying in an interval (a, b). Now, we have to figure it for P(a< X< b), and we can
calculate this using the formula of PDF. The Probability density function formula is given as,

b
P(a < X < b) = ∫ f (x) dx
a

Or

b
P(a ≤ X ≤ b) = ∫ f (x) dx
a

This is because, when X is continuous, we can ignore the endpoints of intervals while finding
probabilities of continuous random variables. That means, for any constants a and b,

P(a ≤ X ≤ b) = P(a < X ≤ b) = P(a ≤ X < b) = P(a < X < b).

Probability Density Function Graph

The probability density function is defined as an integral of the density of the variable density over
a given range. It is denoted by f (x). This function is positive or non-negative at any point of the
graph, and the integral, more specifically the definite integral (https://byjus.com/maths/definite-
integral/) of PDF over the entire space is always equal to one. The graph of PDFs typically
resembles a bell curve, with the probability of the outcomes below the curve. The below figure
depicts the graph of a probability density function for a continuous random variable x with
function f(x).

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11/11/24, 11:31 AM Probability Density Function (PDF) - Definition, Formula, Graph, Example

Probability Density Function Properties

Let x be the continuous random variable with density function f(x), and the probability density
function should satisfy the following conditions:

For a continuous random variable that takes some value between certain limits, say a and b,
the PDF is calculated by finding the area under its curve and the X-axis within the lower limit
(a) and upper limit (b). Thus, the PDF is given by
b
P (x) = ∫ f (x) dx
a

The probability density function is non-negative for all the possible values, i.e. f(x)≥ 0, for all x.

The area between the density curve and horizontal X-axis is equal to 1, i.e.
∞
∫ f (x) dx = 1
−∞

Due to the property of continuous random variables, the density function curve is continued
for all over the given range. Also, this defines itself over a range of continuous values or the
domain of the variable.

Probability Density Function Example

Question:

Let X be a continuous random variable with the PDF given by:

⎧ x; 0 < x < 1

f (x) = ⎨2 − x; 1 < x < 2

⎩
0; x > 2

Find P(0.5 < x < 1.5).

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11/11/24, 11:31 AM

Solution:

Given PDF is:

= ∫
1

0.5

⎪
⎧

f (x) = ⎨2 − x; 1 < x < 2

⎩
0; x > 2

P (0.5 < X < 1.5) = ∫

x; 0 < x < 1

f (x)dx + ∫

Integrating the functions, we get;

= (
x

2
2

)
1

0.5
+ (2x −
1.5

1
f (x)dx

2
2
1.5

0.5

)
1.5

1
Probability Density Function (PDF) - Definition, Formula, Graph, Example

f (x)dx

Let us split the integral by taking the intervals as given below:

Substituting the corresponding values of f(x) based on the intervals, we get;

= ∫
1

0.5
xdx + ∫
1
1.5
(2 − x)dx

= [(1)2/2 – (0.5)2/2] + {[2(1.5) – (1.5)2/2] – [2(1) – (1)2/2]}

= [(½) – (⅛)] + {[3 – (9/8)] – [2 – (½)]}

= (⅜) + [(15/8) – (3/2)]

= (3 + 15 – 12)/8

= 6/8

= 3/4

Applications of Probability Density Function

PDF, i.e. the probability density function has many applications in different fields of study such as
statistics, science and engineering. Some of the important applications of the probability density
function are listed below:

In Statistics, it is used to calculate the probabilities associated with the random variables.

The probability density function is used in modelling the annual data of atmospheric NOx
temporal concentration

It is used to model the diesel engine combustion.

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11/11/24, 11:31 AM Probability Density Function (PDF) - Definition, Formula, Graph, Example

For more maths concepts, keep visiting BYJU’S and get various maths related videos to
understand the concept in an easy and engaging way.

Frequently Asked Questions on Probability Density Function

Q1 What is the probability density function?

A function is said to be a probability density function if it represents a continuous probability

distribution.

Q2 What is the difference between the probability density function and the probability mass
function?

The major difference between the probability density function (PDF) and the probability mass
function (PMF) is that PDF is used to describe the continuous probability distribution whereas
PMF is used to describe the discrete probability distribution.

Q3 What are the two conditions for probability density function?

The probability density function is said to be valid if it obeys the following conditions:
1. f(x) should be non-negative for all values of the random variable.
2. The area underneath f(x) should be equal to 1.

Q4 Can the probability density function be negative?

No, the probability density function cannot be negative.

Q5 What is meant by normal distribution?

The normal distribution, also known as the Gaussian distribution, is a continuous probability
distribution for any real-valued random variable. The normal distribution is sometimes called
the bell curve.

Q6 Are PDFs associated with continuous random variables?

Yes, PDFs are associated with continuous random variables.

Q7 Does the total probability under the probability density function curve be equal to 1.2?

No, the total probability under the probability density curve cannot be equal to 1.2, because
the total area under the PDF curve should be equal to 1.

Q8 What is the median of the probability density function?

The median of the probability density function is a continuous probability function in which
the distribution function has a value equal to 0.5.
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11/11/24, 11:31 AM Probability Density Function (PDF) - Definition, Formula, Graph, Example

Test your Knowledge on Probability Density Function

Put your understanding of this concept to test by answering a few MCQs.

Click ‘Start Quiz’ to begin!

Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button

Check your score and answers at the end of the quiz

Start Quiz

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