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3.5 Geometric Probability Distribution using Excel Spreadsheet

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    22446
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    How to use Excel function for Geometric

    Suppose the probability that a red car enters an intersection is 0.24.  What is the likelihood that the first red car enters the intersection after four non-red vehicles pass through the intersection?  The discrete probability distribution is Geometric.

    P(Red Car) = .24
    P(Not Red Car) = 1-.24 = .76

    P( X = 5) = (.76)4(.24) = 0.0801 Rounded to 4 decimal places

    To compute the probability in an Excel spreadsheet, enter the formula below.

    =NEGBINOM.DIST(4, 1, 0.24, FALSE) 

    • 4 represents the four non-red cars that have entered the intersection before the red car.
    • 1 represents the first red car that enters the intersection.
    • 0.24 is the probability of a red car entering the intersection.
    • False means you want to compute a probability for one value, P(X = 5).
    • True means you want to compute the P(X < 5).

    The answer you should see is 0.080069.  Rounded to four decimal

    You can also enter the following formula for one probability

    = (.76^4)*.24 

    To make sure the formula is calculated, hit the Enter key after entering the formula.

    Interactive Element: Live Excel Spreadsheet

     

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Next, find the probability that at most 4 white cars pass through the intersection during one hour.

    Solution

    The probability statement is P(X < 4).  The Excel function is =NEGBINOM.DIST(3, 1, 0.24, True) .  The answer is 0.6664 rounded to 4 decimal places.

     


    3.5 Geometric Probability Distribution using Excel Spreadsheet is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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