How to Use the BINOM.DIST Function in Excel

Excel and Google Sheets offer a function known as BINOM.DIST, which is used for calculating the binomial distribution probability. This function is essential for assessing the probability of observing a specific number of successes in a predefined number of trials, given a constant probability of success in each trial. This capability is incredibly useful for analyzing outcomes in scenarios involving repeated, independent events.

Syntax:

The BINOM.DIST function syntax varies slightly between Excel and Google Sheets:

Excel:

=BINOM.DIST(number_s, trials, probability_s, cumulative)

• number_s: Defines the number of successful outcomes among the trials.
• trials: Specifies the total number of independent trials conducted.
• probability_s: Represents the probability of a success in each trial.
• cumulative: A logical (TRUE or FALSE) value. Set this to FALSE for calculating the probability of exactly number_s successes, or TRUE to calculate the cumulative probability of achieving up to number_s successes.

Google Sheets:

=BINOM.DIST(trials, probability_s, number_s, cumulative)

Note that the order of parameters in Google Sheets differs from that in Excel.

Examples:

In the first example, the BINOM.DIST function is used to calculate the probability of flipping exactly 2 heads in 4 coin tosses, given a fair coin (P=0.5). The result is 0.375, which translates to a 37.5% likelihood of this specific outcome.

In the second example, we calculate the cumulative probability of rolling no more than 3 sixes in 5 dice rolls with a standard six-sided die. The resulting probability is 0.8683, demonstrating an 86.83% chance of rolling three or fewer sixes.

More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/binom-dist-function-c5ae37b6-f39c-4be2-94c2-509a1480770c