is the poisson distribution discrete or continuous 
because it measures discrete counts the poisson distribution is also a discrete distribution this can be contrasted with the normal distribution which is continuous the bottom linea poisson distribution is a probability distribution that is used to predict the amount of variation from an average rate of occurrence in a given time frame it s also a discrete function meaning that the variable can only take whole number values and no fractions or decimals the poisson distribution can be a helpful tool to evaluate and predict financial and trading operations 