The Binomial Distribution
Main Concept
The binomial distribution is a discrete probability distribution that is used to obtain the probability of observing exactly k number of successes in a sequence of n trials, with the probability of success for all single trials of p. The binomial distribution describes a distribution where there are two mutually exclusive outcomes to an event. When n = 1, the binomial distribution is a Bernoulli distribution.
If a random variable X follows the binomial distribution, the probability of getting k successes in n trials is given by the following probability mass function:
fk = PX=k= nk pk 1−p n−k
for k = 0,1,2, ... , n
where:
nk = n!k!n−k!
p is probability of a successful event
k is the number of success trials
n is the number of trials
The cumulative distribution function is defined as:
fk = PX≤k=∑i= 0kni pi 1−p n−i
Note that the probability function and cumulative distribution function for the binomial distribution are only defined for integer values for k and as such, there is no continual curve which can be drawn through the point. The gray lines are only for illustrating the shape of each function over the interval.
Properties
If n = number of trials, and p = probability of a successful event then:
PMF
nk pk 1−p n−k
The probability mass function
CDF
∑i= 0kni pi 1−p n−i
The cumulative distribution function
Mean
np
The expected value of a binomial random variable
Standard Deviation
np1−p
Represented by the symbol σ, representing how much variation or spread exists from the mean value.
Example
Suppose a biased coin comes up head with a probability of 0.2 when tossed. What is the probability of achieving 0, 1, 2, 3,and 4 heads after 4 tosses?
Let probability of success, p = 0.2, and number of trials, n = 4
P0 heads = f0 = PX= 0 = 40 0.20 1−0.2 4−0= 0.4096
P1 heads = f1 = PX= 1 = 41 0.21 1−0.2 4−1= 0.4096
P2 heads = f2 = PX= 2 = 42 0.22 1−0.2 4−2= 0.1536
P3 heads = f3 = PX= 3 = 43 0.23 1−0.2 4−3= 0.0256
P4 heads = f4 = PX= 4 = 44 0.24 1−0.2 4−4= 0.0016
See how the probability function of the binomial distribution changes with different values for the number of successes k, number of trials n, and the probability of success p.
# of successes (k) =
# of trials (n) =
Probability of success (p) =
More MathApps
MathApps/ProbabilityAndStatistics
Download Help Document