NEGBINOM.DIST Function in Excel
The NEGBINOM.DIST function calculates the negative binomial distribution, modeling the number of trials needed to achieve a specified number of successes in a series of independent Bernoulli trials.
Syntax
NEGBINOM.DIST(number_f, number_s, probability_s, cumulative)
- number_f: Number of failures (non-negative integer)
- number_s: Number of successes (non-negative integer)
- probability_s: Probability of success per trial (between 0 and 1)
- cumulative: Logical value (TRUE for cumulative distribution, FALSE for probability mass function)
Example
=NEGBINOM.DIST(10, 5, 0.25, FALSE)
This calculates the probability of exactly 10 failures before 5 successes, with a 25% success rate per trial.
Common Applications
- Quality control in manufacturing
- Customer support issue resolution
- Sales and marketing call success rates
- Inventory management and stockouts
- Risk assessment in various fields
Potential Challenges
- Confusion between cumulative and non-cumulative probabilities
- Incorrect parameter order or data types
- Misinterpretation of results without statistical background
Compatibility
Supported in Excel versions from 2010 onwards, including Microsoft 365 and Excel for the Web.
Key Benefits
- Aids in statistical analysis and decision-making
- Useful for modeling count data with overdispersion
- Facilitates risk management and probability predictions
Remember to use non-negative integers for number_f and number_s, and ensure probability_s is between 0 and 1 to avoid errors.
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