ESS210B
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Degree of Freedom
qIf you are asked to
choose a pair of number (x1, x2) at random, you have
complete freedom of choice with regard to each of the two
numbers.
è There are two degrees of freedom.
qIf somehow you are
asked to choose a pair of numbers whose sum is 7 (x1+x2=7) , you are free to
choose only one number (for example, x1). The other number
has to be x2=7-x1.
è There is only one degree of
freedom.
qIf you are further
asked to make sure x12+x22=5, then you have no freedom to
choose the number. X1 has to be 3 and x2 has to be 4.
è The degree of freedom is zero.