Definitions

1. noun

A mathematical function that is used to describe a probability distribution over a set of discrete values, especially in the context of statistical mechanics and physics.

“The Dirichlet distribution is a probability distribution over a set of positive integers, used to model the number of successes in a series of independent trials.”

2. noun

A type of boundary condition in the theory of partial differential equations, used to model the behavior of a physical system at a boundary.

“The Dirichlet problem is a boundary value problem for the Laplace equation, used to model the behavior of a physical system in a bounded domain.”

3. verb

To apply the Dirichlet distribution or the Dirichlet problem to a physical system, especially in the context of statistical mechanics and physics.

“The researcher decided to Dirichlet the system to model the behavior of the particles at the boundary.”