Exponential Distribution

The exponential distribution describes the gap between independent, random events, such as the time between customers who arrive with no schedule. Short gaps are common and long gaps are rare.

Write E(mean), or Exponential(mean). The single parameter is the mean gap:

E(6)

produces values that average 6, most of them shorter with the occasional long one. Its most common use is the time between arrivals for unscheduled, independent customers. Two things to note: the parameter is the mean, not a rate, and E is different from the math function EXP(x), which is e raised to the power of x.