rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymomentStatistical measure
noun

moment

A numerical measure of a distribution based on powers of its values or deviations.

The statistician calculates the second moment of the distribution.

Etymology
momentLatinmovement or weight

The statistical term draws on moments in mechanics, which measure how quantities are distributed about a point. Statistical moments summarize a distribution using averages of powers of values or deviations.

More examples

  • Higher moments describe additional features.
  • The first raw moment gives the mean.
  • Compare the central moments of these samples.

Forms

moment · moments