The BINOMDIST function in Google Sheets is a powerful statistical tool used to calculate the probability of a given number of successes in a specified number of trials, based on a defined probability of success in each individual trial. This function is particularly useful in fields such as finance, research, and any area requiring statistical analysis of discrete events.

Syntax

BINOMDIST(x, n, p, cumulative)

• x: The number of successes for which you want to calculate the probability.
• n: The total number of trials or attempts.
• p: The probability of success on an individual trial.
• cumulative: A boolean value that determines the form of the function. If TRUE, it calculates the cumulative probability; if FALSE, it calculates the exact probability.

Example #1

=BINOMDIST(3, 10, 0.5, FALSE)

This function calculates the probability of achieving exactly 3 successes in 10 trials, with a success probability of 0.5 for each trial. The result for this example will be approximately 0.11719.

Example #2

=BINOMDIST(2, 5, 0.3, TRUE)

In this case, the function computes the cumulative probability of obtaining 2 or fewer successes in 5 trials, with a success probability of 0.3 for each trial. The resulting value in this scenario will be around 0.83691.

Example #3

=BINOMDIST(1, 4, 0.2, FALSE)

This call determines the probability of getting exactly 1 success in 4 trials, with a success probability of 0.2 for each trial. The result from this calculation will be approximately 0.38416.

Error handling

• NUM!: This error occurs if x is less than 0 or greater than n.
• VALUE!: This indicates a wrong type of argument was supplied, such as text instead of a number.

Conclusion

The BINOMDIST function is an essential tool for statistical analysis, enabling users to efficiently calculate probabilities related to binomial distributions. Whether used in academic research, business forecasting, or any other data-driven field, understanding this function can greatly enhance the ability to interpret and analyze data effectively.