What Exactly is the Poisson Distribution? Where Does it Come From?

In this video, we look at the Poisson distribution, a powerful tool for modeling rare events and understanding randomness. Starting from its roots in the binomial distribution, we unravel its meaning, assumptions, and real-world significance.
Through real-world examples—like safeguarding satellites from meteoroid strikes—we demonstrate how it predicts probabilities in high-stakes scenarios. Whether you're an engineer, scientist, or simply curious about the math behind the world around us, this video will show you how the Poisson distribution can solve complex problems with simplicity and elegance.
🔍 Key Highlights:
Intuitive explanation of the Poisson distribution and its derivation.
Real-life applications in space engineering.
Practical tips for using probability to guide critical decisions.

00:00 – Introduction
00:30 – What is the Poisson distribution?
02:25 – Where does the Poisson distribution come from? Derivation.
10:57 – Simple example - applying to real-world scenarios