Probability and Statistics > Binomial distributions > Binomial Formula
Binomial Formula: Overview
A binomial is just an experiment that can have two outcomes: success or failure. For example, a coin toss can be a binomial experiment. If you wanted to know how many heads would come up if you tossed the coin three times, the “success” would be getting a heads on a single toss.
A coin toss can be a binomial experiment.
Although the concept of a binomial is simple, the binomial formula–used to calculate the probability of success for binomial distributions–isn’t the easiest of formulas to work . If you use a TI-83 or TI-89, much of the work is done for you. However, if you don’t own one, here are the steps you should follow to get the answer right every time.
Note: The ! symbol is a factorial (What is a factorial?)
Sample question: “60% of people who purchase sports cars are men. If 10 sports car owners are randomly selected, find the probability that exactly 7 are men.”
Step 1:: Identify ‘n’ and ‘X’ from the problem. Using our sample question, n (the number of randomly selected items — in this case, sports car owners are randomly selected) is 10, and X (the number you are asked to “find the probability” for) is 7.
Step 2: Figure out the first part of the formula, which is:
n! / (n – X)! X!
Substituting the variables:
10! / ((10 – 7)! × 7!)
Which equals 120. Set this number aside for a moment.
Step 3: Find “p” the probability of success and “q” the probability of failure. We are given p = 60%, or .6. therefore, the probability of failure is 1 – .6 = .4 (40%).
Step 4: Work the next part of the formula.
pX
= .67
= .0.0279936
Set this number aside while you work the third part of the formula.
Step 5: Work the third part of the formula.
q(.4 – 7)
= .4(10-7)
= .43
= .0.064
Step 6: Multiply the three answers from steps 2, 4 and 5 together.
120 × 0.0279936 × 0.064 = 0.215.
That’s it!
If you’re interested in a more technical rundown on the binomial formula, check out this article.
This helped me so much. It is starting to make sense. Thanks!
To someone not studying the examples in MathZone, this is a great example. I really try to follow the examples I see on-line and this example mirror’s that. It was helpful.
TO ME THIS QUESTION IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND, WHEN I WAS DOING THIS PROBLEM ON MATHZONE I COULDNT FIGURE IT OUT , AND THE WORST PART WAS THAT WHEN YOU CLICK THE SHOW ME BUTTON IT DOESNT EXPLAIN ANYTHING, SO FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS SORT OF EXPLANATIONS AND STEP BY STEP PROBLEMS REALLY HELP, I AM STILL HAVING A BIT OF A TROUBLE BECAUSE JUST BY LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM AND SEEING THAT EXCLAMATION MARK IN IT MAKES ME SO CONFUSED. WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN?
It’s a factorial.
Stephanie
This made for a very difficult problem solver. There was to much to keep up with. In my google search I was able to find a table and was able to make that work. But the binomial calculator is still much easier.
Hi Scott,
There are some tables on this site (look up the top, under “tables”) but you are correct–the calculator is much easier!!
Stephanie
The step by step for binomial distribution was very helpful. However, I am running into a lot of problems on homework that read “atleast 1” or “3 or more” instead of just saying “exactly 3.” Is there anything on this website that might be able to explain that to me?
…thanks for this!!!it really helps me a lot…i can understand now,more that our teacher had taught us before..thank you so much..!!!
10! / ((10 – 7)! × 7!) how to solve this? do u have the detailed solution of how u come up with 120 as a result?
I didn’t add the steps for that, but you should be able to put that into most calculators, as written. The ! is a factorial (see this article on factorials).
Regards,
Stephanie
Please assist me on how to use the Binomial distribution formular
Taphel,
What did you need to know? Post your question in the forum and one of our mods will help :)
Stephanie
It is perfect explanation for those who haven’t studied stats..it helped me alot.thanks
Glad it helped!
Stephanie
Very heplful. It all makes more sense. Thanks….
Joy,
10! / ((10 – 7)! × 7!) is as follows
10! is 10x9x8x7x6x5x4x3x2x1 …. find that answer = 3628800. It is the answer for the top of the fraction.
Then (10-7)! is the same as 3! which is 3x2x1 = 6
Then 7! is 7x6x5x4x3x2x1 … find that answer = 5040
The final answer is
3628800/6×5040 = 3628800/30240 = 120
Hope this helps.
George
thanks dears but why .6 and .4 (pX
= .67
= .0.0279936)
Karim,
1/ .6 is the given probability from the question. so .4 is just 1-.6
2/ pX
= .67
= .0.0279936
is the second part of the binomial formula (px)
Regards,
Stephanie
if heterozygous parents have 5 children what is the probability that 2 will be albino.
please help i don’t understand how to solve this
How do you find the answer if the problem says fewer than 5? What if the problem says between 8 and 10 inclusively?
Sarley,
If you’ve got a TI89, you can use the binomcdf feature. Otherwise, you’ll have to repeat your calculations manually. For example, to calculate between 8 and 10 you’ll need to know P(8) + P(9)+P(10).
you can also use excel formula under fx select Binomdist then you can use
My first encounter with biononial probability distribution wasnt easy I never understood anything in class but with this step by step solving its very clear to me
If the probability of obtaining a correct answer is p=0.01 what is the probability that out of set of 100 questions more than 2 will be wrong find using binomial distribution and poissions distribution separately
How can I solve please help me
Hello, Annie,
The video will walk you through it. Your basically plugging in your info into the equation and solving. You have p = .01, 1 – p = 1 = .01 = .99 and n = 100. Once you’ve got the hang of the binomial distribution, you can find the Poisson distribution.
helpful in evry snse
How to find 0.9 raise to 20 without using calculator.Pls explain
You can solve the binomial formula by hand (see the video). A calculator isn’t needed :)