Transitioning from Discrete to Continuous Distribution <i>Mathematica</i> vs. Excel —An Example

Abstract

Frequencies of the repeated integers of the first n digits of e.g. π utilizing commercial software are listed. The discrete distribution is utilized to evaluate its statistical moments. The distribution is fitted with a polynomial generating a continuous replica of the former. Its statistical moments are evaluated and compared to the former. The procedure clarifies the mechanism transiting from discrete to a continuous domain. Applying <i> Mathematica</i> the fitted polynomial is replaced with an interpolated function with controlled smoothing factor refining the quality of the fit and its corresponding moments. Knowledge learned assists in the understanding of the standard procedure calculating moments of e.g. Maxwell-Boltzmann continuous distribution in kinetic Theory of gases.