HYPGEOM.DIST (hypergeometric distribution)

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HYPGEOM.DIST (hypergeometric distribution)

Syntax:

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

Description:

This returns the (cumulative) probabilities of a hypergeometrically distributed random variable.

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

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 probability density function of the hypergeometric distribution is calculated.

All of these values should be integers. If this is not the case, PlanMaker automatically truncates the decimal places.

Example:

An urn contains a total of 10 balls (N=10) of which 2 are red (K=2). To determine the probability of obtaining 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. The function is unknown in older versions.

See also:

HYPGEOMDIST, NEGBINOM.DIST/NEGBINOMDIST