Distribution may refer to:

Mathematics

Distribution (mathematics) Distributions, also known as Schwartz distributions or generalized functions, are objects that generalize the classical notion of functions in mathematical analysis. Distributions make it possible to differentiate functions whose derivatives d ...

, generalized functions used to formulate solutions of partial differential equations *

Probability distribution In probability theory and statistics, a probability distribution is the mathematical function that gives the probabilities of occurrence of different possible outcomes for an experiment. It is a mathematical description of a random phenomenon i ...

, the probability of a particular value or value range of a variable **

Cumulative distribution function In probability theory and statistics, the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of a real-valued random variable X, or just distribution function of X, evaluated at x, is the probability that X will take a value less than or equal to x. Ev ...

, in which the probability of being no greater than a particular value is a function of that value *

Frequency distribution In statistics, the frequency (or absolute frequency) of an event i is the number n_i of times the observation has occurred/recorded in an experiment or study. These frequencies are often depicted graphically or in tabular form. Types The cumula ...

, a list of the values recorded in a sample *

Inner distribution In coding theory, the weight enumerator polynomial of a binary linear code specifies the number of words of each possible Hamming weight. Let C \subset \mathbb_2^n be a binary linear code length n. The weight distribution is the sequence of numb ...

, and

outer distribution In coding theory, the weight enumerator polynomial of a binary linear code specifies the number of words of each possible Hamming weight. Let C \subset \mathbb_2^n be a binary linear code length n. The weight distribution is the sequence of num ...

, in coding theory *

Distribution (differential geometry) In differential geometry, a discipline within mathematics, a distribution on a manifold M is an assignment x \mapsto \Delta_x \subseteq T_x M of vector subspaces satisfying certain properties. In the most common situations, a distribution is asked ...

, a subset of the tangent bundle of a manifold *

Distributed parameter system In control theory, a distributed-parameter system (as opposed to a lumped-parameter system) is a system whose state space is infinite-dimensional. Such systems are therefore also known as infinite-dimensional systems. Typical examples are system ...

, systems that have an infinite-dimensional state-space *

Distribution of terms In logic, a categorical proposition, or categorical statement, is a proposition that asserts or denies that all or some of the members of one category (the ''subject term'') are included in another (the ''predicate term''). The study of arguments ...

, a situation in which all members of a category are accounted for *

Distributivity In mathematics, the distributive property of binary operations generalizes the distributive law, which asserts that the equality x \cdot (y + z) = x \cdot y + x \cdot z is always true in elementary algebra. For example, in elementary arithmetic, ...

, a property of binary operations that generalises the distributive law from elementary algebra *

Distribution (number theory) In algebra and number theory, a distribution is a function on a system of finite sets into an abelian group which is analogous to an integral: it is thus the algebraic analogue of a distribution (mathematics), distribution in the sense of generalise ...

*Distribution problems, a common type of problems in combinatorics where the goal is to enumerate the number of possible distributions of objects to recipients, subject to various conditions; see

Twelvefold way In combinatorics, the twelvefold way is a systematic classification of 12 related enumerative problems concerning two finite sets, which include the classical problems of counting permutations, combinations, multisets, and partitions either of a ...

Computing and telecommunications

Distribution (concurrency) In mathematics and computer science, a history monoid is a way of representing the histories of concurrently running computer processes as a collection of strings, each string representing the individual history of a process. The history monoid pro ...

, the projection operator in a history monoid, a representation of the histories of concurrent computer processes *

Data distribution To disseminate (from lat. ''disseminare'' "scattering seeds"), in the field of communication, is to broadcast a message to the public without direct feedback from the audience. Meaning Dissemination takes on the theory of the traditional view ...

or dissemination, to distribute information without direct feedback *

Digital distribution Digital distribution, also referred to as content delivery, online distribution, or electronic software distribution, among others, is the delivery or distribution of digital media content (media), content such as Sound recording and reproductio ...

, publishing media digitally *

Distributed computing A distributed system is a system whose components are located on different computer network, networked computers, which communicate and coordinate their actions by message passing, passing messages to one another from any system. Distributed com ...

, the coordinated use of physically distributed computers (distributed systems) for tasks or storage *

Electronic brakeforce distribution Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD or EBFD) or electronic brakeforce limitation (EBL) is an automobile brake technology that automatically varies the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's wheels, based on road conditions, speed, lo ...

, an automotive technology that varies brake force based on prevailing conditions *

Key distribution center {{cleanup, date=November 2011 In cryptography, a key distribution center (KDC) is part of a cryptosystem intended to reduce the risks inherent in exchanging keys. KDCs often operate in systems within which some users may have permission to use cer ...

, part of a cryptosystem intended to reduce the risks inherent in exchanging keys *

Software distribution Software distribution is the process of delivering software to the end user. A distro is a collection of software components built, assembled and configured so that it can essentially be used "as is". It is often the closest thing to turnkey form ...

, bundles of a specific software already compiled and configured **A specific packaging of an operating system containing a kernel, toolchain, utilities and other software ***

Linux distribution A Linux distribution (often abbreviated as distro) is an operating system made from a software collection that includes the Linux kernel and, often, a package management system. Linux users usually obtain their operating system by downloading one ...

, one of several distributions built on the Linux kernel

Natural sciences

Distribution (pharmacology) Distribution in pharmacology is a branch of pharmacokinetics which describes the reversible transfer of a drug from one location to another within the body. Once a drug enters into systemic circulation by absorption or direct administration, it m ...

, the movement of a drug from one location to another within the body *

Species distribution Species distribution —or species dispersion — is the manner in which a biological taxon is spatially arranged. The geographic limits of a particular taxon's distribution is its range, often represented as shaded areas on a map. Patterns of ...

, the manner in which a species is spatially arranged **

Cosmopolitan distribution In biogeography, cosmopolitan distribution is the term for the range of a taxon that extends across all or most of the world in appropriate habitats. Such a taxon, usually a species, is said to exhibit cosmopolitanism or cosmopolitism. The ext ...

, in which a species appears in appropriate environments around the world *

Spectral power distribution In radiometry, photometry, and color science, a spectral power distribution (SPD) measurement describes the power per unit area per unit wavelength of an illumination (radiant exitance). More generally, the term ''spectral power distribution'' ...

of light sources

Economics

Distribution (economics) In economics, distribution is the way total output, income, or wealth is distributed among individuals or among the factors of production (such as labour, land, and capital). In general theory and in for example the U.S. National Income and Prod ...

, distribution of income or output among individuals or factors of production (or to help others) **''Distribution in kind'', concerning the transfer of non-cash assets by a company to a shareholder, see

Companies Act 2006 The Companies Act 2006 (c 46) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which forms the primary source of UK company law. The Act was brought into force in stages, with the final provision being commenced on 1 October 2009. It largely ...

Distribution (marketing) Distribution (or place) is one of the four elements of the marketing mix. Distribution is the process of making a product or service available for the consumer or business user who needs it. This can be done directly by the producer or service p ...

, or ''place'', one of the four elements of marketing mix **

Distribution resource planning {{Business logistics Distribution resource planning (DRP) is a method used in business administration for planning orders within a supply chain. DRP enables the user to set certain inventory control parameters (like a safety stock) and calculate ...

, method used in business administration for planning orders within a supply chain *

Distributionism Distributism is an economic theory asserting that the world's productive assets should be widely owned rather than concentrated. Developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, distributism was based upon Catholic social teaching prin ...

, an economic ideology *

Distribution of wealth The distribution of wealth is a comparison of the wealth of various members or groups in a society. It shows one aspect of economic inequality or economic heterogeneity. The distribution of wealth differs from the income distribution in that ...

, among members in a society *

Division of property Division of property, also known as equitable distribution, is a judicial division of property rights and obligations between spouses during divorce. It may be done by agreement, through a property settlement, or by judicial decree. Distributio ...

, or ''equitable distribution'', of property between spouses during divorce *

Food distribution Food distribution is the process where a general population is supplied with food. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) considers food distribution as a subset of the food system. The process and methodology behind food distribution varies ...

, methods of transporting food *

Drug distribution The distribution of medications has special drug safety and security considerations. Some drugs require cold chain management in their distribution. The industry uses track and trace technology, though the timings for implementation and the i ...

, methods by which medication goes from manufacturer to consumer

Other sciences

Electric power distribution Electric power distribution is the final stage in the delivery of electric power; it carries electricity from the transmission system to individual consumers. Distribution substations connect to the transmission system and lower the transmissi ...

, the final stage in the delivery of electricity *

Distributed generation Distributed generation, also distributed energy, on-site generation (OSG), or district/decentralized energy, is electrical generation and storage performed by a variety of small, grid-connected or distribution system-connected devices referred to ...

, the use of technologies to provide electric power at the source of consumption *

Distributed production Distributed manufacturing also known as distributed production, cloud producing and local manufacturing is a form of decentralized manufacturing practiced by enterprises using a network of geographically dispersed manufacturing facilities that are ...

distributed manufacturing Distributed manufacturing also known as distributed production, cloud producing and local manufacturing is a form of decentralized manufacturing practiced by enterprises using a network of geographically dispersed manufacturing facilities that are ...

, the fabrication of products by consumers such as with 3D printing *Distribution of elements in the

distributed-element model : ''This article is an example from the domain of electrical systems, which is a special case of the more general distributed-parameter systems.'' In electrical engineering, the distributed-element model or transmission-line model of electrical ...

of electric circuits *

Trip distribution Trip distribution (or destination choice or zonal interchange analysis) is the second component (after trip generation, but before mode choice and route assignment) in the traditional four-step transportation forecasting model. This step matches ...

, part of the four-step transportation forecasting model *The distribution of a linguistic element is the set of environments in which it occurs, which may be in

complementary distribution In linguistics, complementary distribution, as distinct from contrastive distribution and free variation, is the relationship between two different elements of the same kind in which one element is found in one set of environments and the other ele ...

contrastive distribution Contrastive distribution in linguistics, as opposed to complementary distribution or free variation, is the relationship between two different elements in which both elements are found in the same environment with a change in meaning. Phonology I ...

, or free variation with another such element, and which is the basis of

distributional semantics Distributional semantics is a research area that develops and studies theories and methods for quantifying and categorizing semantic similarities between linguistic items based on their distributional properties in large samples of language data. T ...

Other uses

Film distribution Film distribution (also known as Film exhibition or Film distribution and exhibition) is the process of making a movie available for viewing by an audience. This is normally the task of a professional film distributor, who would determine the marke ...

, the process of making a movie available for the audiences to watch *

Film distributor A film distributor is responsible for the Film promotion, marketing of a film. The distribution company may be the same with, or different from, the production company. Distribution deals are an important part of financing a film. The distributo ...

, an agent between a film producer and an exhibitor *

Purse distribution In horse racing, the term purse distribution may refer to the total amount of money paid out to the owners of horses racing at a particular track over a given period of time, or to the percentages of a race's total purse that are awarded to each o ...

, in a horse race, the distribution of winnings among the highest finishers *

Record distribution The music industry consists of the individuals and organizations that earn money by writing songs and musical compositions, creating and selling recorded music and sheet music, presenting concerts, as well as the organizations that aid, train ...

, process of shipping and promoting record labels * Font distribution, the units in which metal type is sold, containing relative proportions of letters appropriate for a given language *

Distribution (bridge) These terms are used in contract bridge, using duplicate or rubber scoring. Some of them are also used in whist, bid whist, the obsolete game auction bridge, and other trick-taking games. This glossary supplements the Glossary of card game terms. ...