Distribution may refer to:

Mathematics

Distribution (mathematics) Distributions, also known as Schwartz distributions are a kind of generalized function in mathematical analysis. Distributions make it possible to derivative, differentiate functions whose derivatives do not exist in the classical sense. In par ...

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

Probability distribution In probability theory and statistics, a probability distribution is a Function (mathematics), function that gives the probabilities of occurrence of possible events for an Experiment (probability theory), experiment. It is a mathematical descri ...

, 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. Ever ...

, 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 (probability theory), event i is the number n_i of times the observation has occurred/been recorded in an experiment or study. These frequencies are often depicted graphically or tabu ...

, a list of the values recorded in a sample * Inner distribution, and outer distribution, in coding theory *

Distribution (differential geometry) In differential geometry, a discipline within mathematics, a distribution on a differentiable manifold, 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 subset of the tangent bundle of a manifold * Distributed parameter system, systems that have an infinite-dimensional state-space * Distribution of terms, a situation in which all members of a category are accounted for *

Distributivity In mathematics, the distributive property of binary operations is a generalization of 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 ...

, a property of binary operations that generalises the distributive law from elementary algebra * Distribution (number theory) *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

Computing and telecommunications

* Distribution (concurrency), the projection operator in a history monoid, a representation of the histories of concurrent computer processes * Data distribution 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 information or materials through digital platforms. The distribution of digital ...

, publishing media digitally *

Distributed computing Distributed computing is a field of computer science that studies distributed systems, defined as computer systems whose inter-communicating components are located on different networked computers. The components of a distributed system commu ...

, the coordinated use of physically distributed computers (distributed systems) for tasks or storage * Electronic brakeforce distribution, an automotive technology that varies brake force based on prevailing conditions *

Key distribution center 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 certain services at some times ...

, part of a cryptosystem intended to reduce the risks inherent in exchanging keys * Software distribution, 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 that includes the Linux kernel for its kernel functionality. Although the name does not imply product distribution per se, a distro—if distributed on its own—is oft ...

, 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 distr ...

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

Cosmopolitan distribution In biogeography, a cosmopolitan distribution is the range of a taxon that extends across most or all of the surface of the Earth, in appropriate habitats; most cosmopolitan species are known to be highly adaptable to a range of climatic and en ...

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

Spectral power distribution In radiometry, photometry (optics), photometry, and color science, a spectral power distribution (SPD) measurement describes the Power (physics), power per unit area per unit wavelength of an illumination (lighting), illumination (radiant exitan ...

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 Pr ...

, 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 largel ...

Distribution (marketing) Distribution is the process of making a product or service available for the consumer or business user who needs it, and a distributor is a business involved in the distribution stage of the value chain. Distribution can be done directly by the ...

, 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 t ...

, method used in business administration for planning orders within a supply chain * Distributionism, 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 heterogeneity in economics, economic heterogeneity. The distribution of wealth differs from the i ...

, among members in a society *

Division of property Division of property, also known as equitable distribution, is a division of property and debt between spouses when the marital relationship is ending. It may be done by agreement, through a property settlement, or by judicial decree. Distribut ...

, 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 systems, food system. The process and methodology behind food distri ...

, methods of transporting food * Drug distribution, methods by which medication goes from manufacturer to consumer

Other sciences

Electric power distribution Electric power distribution is the final stage in the Power delivery, delivery of electricity. Electricity is carried from the Electric power transmission, transmission system to individual consumers. Distribution Electrical substation, substatio ...

, the final stage in the delivery of electricity * Distributed generation, the use of technologies to provide electric power at the source of consumption * Distributed production or distributed manufacturing, the fabrication of products by consumers such as with 3D printing *Distribution of elements in the distributed-element model of electric circuits * Trip distribution, 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,

contrastive distribution Contrastive may refer to one of several concepts in linguistics: *Contrast (linguistics) *Contrastive linguistics *Contrastive distribution *Contrastive analysis *Contrastive rhetoric *Contrastive focus reduplication *Contrastive stress *Contrastiv ...

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

Other uses

Film distribution Film distribution, also called film exhibition or film distribution and exhibition, is the process of making a film available for viewing to an audience. This is normally the task of a professional film distributor, who would determine the marketin ...

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

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

, 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 ...