How to Use the Binomial Distribution in Google Sheets

The binomial distribution is a probability distribution that describes the number of successes in a fixed number of independent Bernoulli trials with the same probability of success. In Google Sheets, you can utilize the BINOMDIST function to calculate binomial distribution probabilities.

Here's how to use the binomial distribution in Google Sheets:

Instructions

1. Open a new Google Sheets document.
2. In any cell, type the following formula: =BINOMDIST(number_of_successes, trials, probability_of_success, cumulative). Replace the variables with the appropriate values or cell references.
   • number_of_successes: The number of successes you want to find the probability for.
   • trials: The total number of trials (or experiments) conducted.
   • probability_of_success: The probability of success in each trial.
   • cumulative: A boolean value (TRUE or FALSE) that indicates whether you want the cumulative distribution (cumulative probability) or the probability mass function (single probability).
3. Press Enter, and the cell will display the binomial distribution probability for the given parameters.

Example

Let's say you want to find the probability of getting exactly 5 heads in 10 coin flips, with each flip having a 50% chance of landing heads.

1. In cell A1, enter the number of successes: 5
2. In cell A2, enter the number of trials: 10
3. In cell A3, enter the probability of success: 0.5
4. In cell A4, type the following formula: =BINOMDIST(A1, A2, A3, FALSE)
5. Press Enter, and the cell A4 will display the probability of getting exactly 5 heads in 10 coin flips: 0.24609375

If you want to find the cumulative probability of getting 5 or fewer heads in 10 coin flips, change the FALSE parameter to TRUE in the formula:

=BINOMDIST(A1, A2, A3, TRUE)

This will return the cumulative probability: 0.623046875