The BINOM.DIST function in Google Sheets calculates the probability of obtaining a certain number of successes in a specified number of Bernoulli trials. This function is particularly useful for analyzing experiments with two possible outcomes, such as success or failure. It helps statisticians, analysts, and researchers make informed decisions based on the results of binomial distributions.

Syntax

BINOM.DIST(x, n, p, cumulative)

• x: The number of successes for which the probability is being calculated.
• n: The total number of trials or experiments conducted.
• p: The probability of success on an individual trial.
• cumulative: A logical value indicating whether to calculate the cumulative probability (TRUE) or the probability mass function (FALSE).

Example #1

=BINOM.DIST(3, 10, 0.5, FALSE)

This function calculates the probability of getting exactly 3 successes in 10 trials, with each trial having a 50% chance of success. The result is approximately 0.117.

Example #2

=BINOM.DIST(5, 15, 0.3, TRUE)

Here, the function computes the cumulative probability of achieving 5 or fewer successes in 15 trials, where the probability of success is 30%. The result is around 0.829.

Example #3

=BINOM.DIST(10, 20, 0.6, FALSE)

This example calculates the probability of obtaining exactly 10 successes out of 20 trials with a 60% success rate for each trial. The result is approximately 0.218.

Error handling

• NUM!: This error occurs if the parameters are outside permissible ranges, such as non-integer values for x or n.
• VALUE!: This error indicates that one or more arguments are of the wrong type, such as using text for any of the numeric parameters.

Conclusion

The BINOM.DIST function is a powerful tool for anyone involved in statistical analysis, allowing users to calculate the probabilities associated with binomial distributions. By understanding its syntax and applications, users can make better predictions and decisions based on empirical data.