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The maximum-entropy method is well established for the analysis of scattering data [Bricogne (1993). Acta Cryst. D49, 37-60]. For this method, prior structure knowledge can be included in the structure determination. This prior estimate is an essential element for a successful application of the maximum-entropy method. The most likely prior estimate can be found by maximization of the entropy. With the assumption a priori of a special type of structure model, the unknown parameters can be calculated from real-space functions. For practical use, analytical expressions for the Fourier transform of model scattering curves, the distance-distribution function of the models, are of interest. Formulas are presented for rotational ellipsoids, Gaussian chains and two-phase spheres, and a parameter estimation by the program MAXENT is demonstrated for the ellipsoidal shape of cytochrome c using theoretical X-ray scattering curves calculated from atomic coordinates. The calculated dimensions of prolate and oblate ellipsoids agree within the error limits with the direct structure-related inertia-equivalent ellipsoid of the molecule. Furthermore, error limits have been determined from the a posteriori probability or `evidence' function for the model parameters. To avoid over-interpretation of the scattering data, the real number of degrees of freedom is calculated for noisy data. This measure of information content is almost independent of the collimation distortion but strongly influenced by the statistical noise in the scattering data. The numerical value is smaller than the ideal number of degrees of freedom provided by the information theory.
