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What is the binomial distribution?
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What is the binomial distribution?
The binomial distribution is a discrete probability distribution that counts the number of successes in a fixed number of independent trials with two possible outcomes ('success' and 'failure') and a constant probability of success.
What are the four conditions necessary in order to use a binomial distribution?
The four conditions necessary in order to use a binomial distribution are:
A fixed finite number of trials.
Outcomes of the trials are independent.
Exactly two possible outcomes per trial ('success' and 'failure').
A constant probability of success.
What notation is used to show that a random variable has a binomial distribution?
The notation used to show that random variable has a binomial distribution, is
Where:
is the number of trials
is the probability of success
The symbol '' means 'is distributed as'.
What is sometimes used to represent in a binomial distribution?
In a binomial distribution, is sometimes used to represent the probability of failure.
It is equal to , where is the probability of success.
State the equation for the expected number of successful trials for a binomial random variable .
The equation for the expected number of successful trials for a binomial distribution is
Where:
is a binomial random variable
is the number of trials
is the probability of success
is also the mean of the binomial distribution .
This equation is in the exam formula booklet.
What is the equation for the variance of a binomial random variable ?
The equation for the variance of a binomial random variable is
Where:
is a binomial random variable
is the number of trials
is the probability of success
This equation is in the exam formula booklet.
True or False?
A 'success' in a binomial model must refer to a win (or some other 'good' outcome)?
False.
A 'success' in a binomial model does not have to refer to a win (or some other 'good' outcome).
A 'success' or 'successful outcome' is just a label given to one of the two possible outcomes in a binomial trial.
E.g. when rolling a 6-sided dice you could define 'rolling a 3' as a 'success' (then rolling a 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 becomes a 'failure').
True or False?
A binomial distribution can model scenarios with an infinite number of trials.
False.
A binomial distribution can not model scenarios with an infinite number of trials.
A binomial distribution can only model scenarios with a fixed, finite number of trials.
What assumptions must be made when using a binomial model to describe a sample drawn from a population?
When using a binomial model to describe a sample, it must be assumed that the population is large (compared to the sample) and that the sample is random.
True or False?
A binomial distribution could be used to model the number of times a coin is flipped until it first lands on 'heads'.
False.
A binomial distribution can not be used to model the number of times a coin is flipped until it first lands on 'heads'.
It could take any number of flips to get a head, so the number of trials is not fixed.
What three pieces of information are needed to calculate using a calculator's binomial distribution function?
To calculate using a calculator's binomial distribution function, you need:
the x value,
the n value (number of trials),
and the p value (probability of success).
What is cumulative probability?
Cumulative probability is the probability that a random variable takes on a value less than or equal to a specified value.
E.g. is a cumulative probability.
What cumulative probability on your calculator would allow you to calculate , when is a binomial random variable.
To calculate , when is a binomial random variable, use your calculator to find the equivalent cumulative probability .
E.g. for a binomial random variable, is the same probability as .
Note: is only true for discrete random variables (like the binomial distribution). It is not true for continuous random variables (like the Normal distribution).
True or False?
works for any random variable .
True.
works for any random variable .
How can be calculated as a difference of two cumulative probabilities, when is a binomial random variable?
When is a binomial random variable, .
Note: this is only true for discrete random variables (like the binomial distribution). It is not true for continuous random variables (like the Normal distribution).
Some GDCs will calculate whereas some will only calculate .
True or False?
for a binomial distribution.
True.
for a binomial distribution.
True or False?
for a binomial distribution.
False.
is not equal to for a binomial distribution.
For a binomial distribution, .
True or False?
For a random variable with the binomial distribution, .
True.
For a random variable with the binomial distribution, .
E.g. if , then .