Burr distribution

Parameters Probability density function Cumulative distribution function where Β() is the beta function where moments (see)

In probability theory, statistics and econometrics, the Burr Type XII distribution or simply the Burr distribution[1] is a continuous probability distribution for a non-negative random variable. It is also known as the Singh–Maddala distribution[2] and is one of a number of different distributions sometimes called the "generalized log-logistic distribution". It is most commonly used to model household income (See: Household income in the U.S. and compare to magenta graph at right).

The Burr (Type XII) distribution has probability density function:[3][4]

Note when c=1, the Burr distribution becomes the Pareto Type II distribution. When k=1, the Burr distribution is a special case of the Champernowne distribution, often referred to as the Fisk distribution.[5][6]

The Burr Type XII distribution is a member of a system of continuous distributions introduced by Irving W. Burr (1942), which comprises 12 distributions.[7]

References

1. Burr, I. W. (1942). "Cumulative frequency functions". Annals of Mathematical Statistics. 13 (2): 215–232. doi:10.1214/aoms/1177731607. JSTOR 2235756.
2. Singh, S.; Maddala, G. (1976). "A Function for the Size Distribution of Incomes". Econometrica. 44 (5): 963–970. JSTOR 1911538.
3. Maddala, G. S. (1996) [1983]. Limited-Dependent and Qualitative Variables in Econometrics. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-33825-5.
4. Tadikamalla, Pandu R. (1980), "A Look at the Burr and Related Distributions", International Statistical Review, 48 (3): 337–344, doi:10.2307/1402945, JSTOR 1402945
5. C. Kleiber and S. Kotz (2003). Statistical Size Distributions in Economics and Actuarial Sciences. New York: Wiley. See Sections 7.3 "Champernowne Distribution" and 6.4.1 "Fisk Distribution."
6. Champernowne, D. G. (1952). "The graduation of income distributions". Econometrica. 20 (4): 591–614. doi:10.2307/1907644.
7. See Kleiber and Kotz (2003), Table 2.4, p. 51, "The Burr Distributions."