How to Use the EXPONDIST Function in Excel
Welcome to this comprehensive guide on the EXPONDIST function in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. This function is essential for computing the exponential distribution—a probability distribution that models the time between continuously and independently occurring events, happening at a constant average rate.
Syntax
The syntax for the EXPONDIST function is consistent across both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets:
=EXPONDIST(x, lambda, cumulative)x: This is the value at which the distribution is evaluated.lambda: This parameter represents the rate of the distribution.cumulative: This logical value specifies the function’s output. IfTRUE, EXPONDIST returns the cumulative distribution function. IfFALSE, it outputs the probability density function.
Examples
Example 1: Calculating Probability Density Function
Here, we calculate the probability density function at x=2 with a lambda value of 3 using the EXPONDIST function:
| x | lambda | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | =EXPONDIST(2, 3, FALSE) |
In Excel or Google Sheets, the formula =EXPONDIST(2, 3, FALSE) should yield approximately 0.111565080074214.
Example 2: Calculating Cumulative Distribution Function
Next, we calculate the cumulative distribution function for x=2 with a lambda value of 3:
| x | lambda | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | =EXPONDIST(2, 3, TRUE) |
Using the formula =EXPONDIST(2, 3, TRUE) in Excel or Google Sheets, the result should be approximately 0.486582880967408.
These examples illustrate how to utilize the EXPONDIST function in Excel and Google Sheets to calculate the exponential distribution for specified values of x and lambda, whether you need the probability density function or the cumulative distribution function.
More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/expondist-function-68ab45fd-cd6d-4887-9770-9357eb8ee06a