The Poisson distribution is applied to events for which the probability of occurrence over a given span of time, space, or distance is large.

Poisson Distribution

A probability distribution that expresses the probability of a given number of events happening in a fixed interval of time or space, assuming these events happen with a known constant rate and independently of the time since the last event.

Probability Of Occurrence

The likelihood of an event happening, measured on a scale from 0 (impossibility) to 1 (certainty).

Span Of Time

The duration or extent between two points in time.