1

Binomial Distribution
Experiment involves n identical trials
Each trial has exactly two possible outcomes: success and failure
Each trial is independent of the previous trials p is the probability of a success on any
one trial q = (1-p) is the probability of a failure on any one trial p and q are constant
throughout the experiment
X is the number of successes in the n trials
Applications
Sampling with replacement
Sampling without replacement -- n < 5% N





Poisson Distribution
Describes discrete occurrences over a continuum or interval
A discrete distribution
Describes rare events
Each occurrence is independent any other occurrences.
The number of occurrences in each interval can vary from zero to infinity.
The expected number of occurrences must hold constant throughout the experiment.

Approximation of Binomial Distribution
. acceptable is ion approximat the , 7 and 20 If s > p n n . Use p n =





( )
n X
X n X
n
X P
q p
X n X
s s

=

0 for
! !
!
) (
p n =
q p n
q p n
= =
=
o o
o
2
2
) logarithms natural of base (the ... 718282 . 2

:
,... 3 , 2 , 1 , 0 for
!
) (
=
= = =
= =

e
stddev mean average run long
where
X
X
X P
e
X

2


Hypergeometric Distribution
Sampling without replacement from a finite population
The number of objects in the population is denoted N.
Each trial has exactly two possible outcomes, success and failure.
Trials are not independent
X is the number of successes in the n trials

Approximation of Binomial Distribution
The binomial is an acceptable approximation, if n < 5% N. Otherwise it is not.







Uniform Distribution









Normal Distribution






2
+
=
Mean
b a

Standard Deviation
o =
b a
12
N
n X
=
o o
o
2
2
2
) 1 (
) ( ) (
=

=
N
n N n X N X
N
( )( )
C
C C
N
n
X N
x n
X
x
x P

= ) (

s s

=
es other valu all 0
1
) (
f or
b x a f or
a b
x f
a b
X P
x x
x x

= s s
1 2
2 1
) (
. . . 2.71828
. . . 3.14159 =
X of deviation standard
X of mean
:
2
1
) (
2
2
1
=
=
=
|
.
|

\
|
=

e
Where
x
x f
e
t
o

t o
o

=
X
Z
3



Approximation of Binomial Distribution
Convert binomial parameters to normal parameters
Does the interval +3 lie between 0 and n? If so, continue; otherwise, do
not use the normal approximation.
Correct for continuity
Solve the normal distribution problem





Exponential Distribution

Continuous
Family of distributions
Skewed to the right
X varies from 0 to infinity
Apex is always at X = 0
Steadily decreases as X gets larger
Probability function



q p n
p n
=
=
o

0 , 0 for ) ( > > =

X X f
e
X
( )
e
X
X X P
0
0

= >