Quantile
Definition
Describe a distribution using threshold values.
A quantile marks a value below which a certain proportion of a distribution lies; calculation conventions differ for samples.
Simply explained
Sorted values are split at a specified position in the sequence.
Why it matters in practice
Quantiles describe, for example, typical and particularly high waiting times without relying solely on the mean.
Example from business
A hypothetical service observes the 90-percent quantile of its response times.
Limits and pitfalls
- With small samples and changing calculation rules, values can be unstable or poorly comparable.
Origin & history
Quantiles are a fundamental concept in statistics; the median is the 50-percent quantile.
Use in mid-sized companies
- Document quantile level, data window, and calculation method.
Frequently asked questions
Is the maximum a typical quantile target?
It is particularly sensitive to individual extreme values.
Sources
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