
Lecture 2
Models of distribution functions
F(x) and force of mortality µ(x)
In Lecture 1, the duration of life was introduced as a positive random
variable T with some, in fact basically any, distribution function F(x).
As soon as we do not require anything specific from F(x) we are fac-
ing an enormously rich choice from the class of all distribution func-
tions on [0,∞). However, from practical analysis of data we know that
some distribution functions are much more appropriate and relevant
than others.
Nevertheless, we do not want to say that distribution functions that
fit the data most accurately are necessarily the best. We believe it is
much more