Sampling from a Bivariate Normal Distribution
vepa.in
While writing an article on personas, I stumbled upon a need to generate points sampled from a bivariate normal distribution. Turns out to be a little more complicated than it first appeared. I needed to perform a “Cholesky” decomposition on the covariance matrix that describes the distribution. Sound complex, but its not particularly hard. My blog post on vepa.in explains how. (http://vepa.in/technology/sampling-from-a-bivariate-normal-distribution)
Bi-variate Graphs - Overview
bi-variate: consisting of data from two variables (in contrast with univariate which has data from only one variable)
Did I mention that I love graphing? It is my absolute favorite algebraic topic. And I don’t even like math.
I am going to make some graphs to focus on some questions that I have, such as the relationship between (1) happiness and being a Born-Again Christian; (2) the strength of prayer life and the ability to resist intercourse in the event that one’s partner resisted birth control; and (3) level of youth involvement and the ability to stop to use birth control once highly aroused.
I am also sort of interested in contrasting young people having a very deep Christian experience with those who have a more shallow one - the extremes, if you would. Not sure how I am going to do that… Any ideas would be useful.
