Field Guide/Fix a problem/Probability result wrong
Core3 min

Fix normal or binomial probability results

A distribution probability is negative, above 1, or inconsistent with the wording.

01

Press these keys

normalcdf(binompdf(binomcdf(

Step 1 of 3. Press normalcdf(.

02

Walkthrough

  1. 1
    Write the event

    Translate words into notation before choosing a command.

  2. 2
    Check parameters

    For binomial use integer n, 0≤p≤1 and valid x. For normal use σ>0 and lower<upper.

  3. 3
    Check command

    pdf is exact mass for binomial; cdf is cumulative. normalcdf needs lower and upper bounds.

03

Worked example

‘At least 5’ was entered as binomcdf(n,p,5).

AnswerUse the complement through 4.