The FDIST function in Google Sheets is utilized to compute the cumulative distribution function of the F-distribution. It is particularly beneficial in statistics for testing hypotheses regarding variances and comparing different sample variances. This function helps in determining the probability of obtaining a value less than or equal to a specified F value, which is of great significance in analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests.

Syntax

FDIST(x, degrees_freedom1, degrees_freedom2)

• x: The F value for which you wish to calculate the cumulative probability.
• degrees_freedom1: The number of degrees of freedom in the numerator.
• degrees_freedom2: The number of degrees of freedom in the denominator.

Example #1

FDIST(5, 2, 10)

The function calculates the cumulative probability of obtaining an F value of 5 with 2 degrees of freedom in the numerator and 10 in the denominator. The result is approximately 0.8375.

Example #2

FDIST(3.5, 5, 20)

This calculates the cumulative probability for an F value of 3.5 with 5 degrees of freedom in the numerator and 20 in the denominator, yielding a result of approximately 0.8152.

Example #3

FDIST(10, 3, 15)

The function is used to find the cumulative probability of an F value of 10 with 3 degrees of freedom in the numerator and 15 in the denominator, resulting in a value close to 0.9997.

Error handling

• NUM!: This error occurs if the input values for degrees of freedom are not positive integers.
• VALUE!: This error indicates that one or more parameters are of the wrong type (e.g., text instead of a number).

Conclusion

In summary, the FDIST function is a valuable tool for statisticians and researchers, enabling them to assess the likelihood of observing an F value within the context of the F-distribution. Understanding its syntax and usage can significantly enhance statistical analysis capabilities in Google Sheets.