Scribd
Upload
57 views1 page

Binomial Distribution

The binomial distribution calculates the probability of x successes in n trials when the probability of success p is constant across trials. The probability of x successes is represented by a formula involving n, x, p, and q (where q = 1 - p). An example is given where the probability of getting h heads in 4 coin tosses is calculated when p = 1/3. For a binomial distribution, there must be a fixed number of independent trials, two possible outcomes per trial (success/failure), and a constant probability of success p for each trial. Cumulative probability tables can be used to find probabilities when a range of values is considered rather than an individual value.

Uploaded by

Princess Kim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
57 views1 page

Binomial Distribution

The binomial distribution calculates the probability of x successes in n trials when the probability of success p is constant across trials. The probability of x successes is represented by a formula involving n, x, p, and q (where q = 1 - p). An example is given where the probability of getting h heads in 4 coin tosses is calculated when p = 1/3. For a binomial distribution, there must be a fixed number of independent trials, two possible outcomes per trial (success/failure), and a constant probability of success p for each trial. Cumulative probability tables can be used to find probabilities when a range of values is considered rather than an individual value.

Uploaded by

Princess Kim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Binomial Distribution

For the general Binomial distribution the probability of x successes in n trials is given by
n
x
n x
p q
x

P( X x )

where X is the random variable, p is the probability of success and q (= 1- p) the probability of
failure.
Example:

P(H=h)
P(H=h)

2

3

1
4

4 1 2

1 3 3

16
81

2
3

3
2

4 1 2

2 3 3

32
81

24
81

To represent that a random variable X has a binomial distribution with parameters n and p we write

X ~ B(n,p)
For our earlier example X ~ B(4,1/3)
Conditions for the binomial distribution to be applicable:
1)
2)
3)
4)

A single trial has only 2 outcomes (head/tail, success/failure etc)


There is a fixed number of trials
The outcome of each trials is independent of the outcome of other trials
The probability of success at each trial is the same.

Whilst we can work out individual probabilities, for instance P(X = 7), when we need to consider a
range of values (e.g. P (X 7) then it is often more convenient to use Cumulative Probability
Tables. These can be found in the back of the text book, and in the formula booklet.

You might also like