Both the geometric and the Bradford probability distributions are used to describe collections of items of interest in information science. Each unit item has a productivity, an integer n measuring the amount of use of the item. The cumulative fraction Fn of items with productivity equal to n or greates may be expressed as a function of n or else as a function of the cumulative mean productivity Gn of items with productivity equal to n or greater. If Fn is an exponential function of n, the distribution is geometric; if it is an exponential function of Gn, it is a Bradford distribution. The exact solution of Fn as a function of n for the Bradford distribution is computed; the results are tabulated. Graphs are given, comparing the two distributions, and their relative usefulness is discussed.
Supported in part by the U.S. Army Research Office (Durham) under Contract No. DAHC04-73-C-0032.