HYPGEOM.DIST (hypergeometric distribution)

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HYPGEOM.DIST (hypergeometric distribution)

Syntax:

HYPGEOM.DIST(k, n, K, N, Cumulative)

Description:

Returns the hypergeometric distribution with the additional argument Cumulative.

The hypergeometric distribution can be used to calculate the probability to, for example, obtain k red balls when randomly drawing n balls (without replacement) from an urn containing N balls, with K of them red balls.

k is the number of successes in the sample (success = drawing a red ball).

n is the size of the sample (the number of balls to be drawn)

K is the total number of successes in the population (the total number of red balls).

N is the size of the population (the total number of balls).

Cumulative determines the type of function as a switch: If you enter the value TRUE, the cumulative distribution function of the hypergeometric distribution is calculated. By entering the value FALSE, the density function of the hypergeometric distribution is calculated.

All of these values should be integers. Digits right of the decimal point are ignored by PlanMaker.

Example:

An urn contains 10 balls (N=10) with 2 of them red (K=2). To determine the probability to obtain exactly or at most 1 red ball (k=1) when drawing 5 balls (n=5), use the following calculation:

HYPGEOM.DIST(1, 5, 2, 10, FALSE) returns 0.55556

HYPGEOM.DIST(1, 5, 2, 10, TRUE) returns 0.77778

The probability of obtaining exactly 1 red ball is 55.6% (density function). The probability of obtaining at most 1 red ball is 77.8% (cumulative distribution function).

Note:

The HYPGEOM.DIST function supplements the previous HYPGEOMDIST function with the additional argument Cumulative.

Compatibility notes:

Microsoft Excel supports this function only in version 2010 or later. In older versions, the function is unknown.

See also:

HYPGEOMDIST, NEGBINOM.DIST/NEGBINOMDIST