Binomial Distribution

By: BL

Learning Objectives
At the end of the two-hour lecture,
the students shall be able to:
1. define the binomial probability
distribution
2. define a binomial experiment
3. compute problems related to the
binomial experiment

Definition
A binomial experiment is one that possess the
following properties:
1. The experiment consists of n identical trials.
2. Each trial results in one of two outcomes. For a
lack of better nomenclature we will call one
outcome as a success, S, and the other failure, F.
3. The probability of a success on a single trial is
equal to p and remains the same from trial to trial.
The probability of a failure is equal to (1-p) =q.
4. The trials are independent.
5. The random variable of interest is Y, the number
of successes observed during the n trials.

Illustration
A typical sample would appear like this (5
trials):
S

First trial

Last trial

Rearrange
n
S

S
y

F
n-y

Hence the probability is

S
p

p
y

.
n-y

py q

n-y

Combination
SSSFF
FSSSF
SFSSF
SSFSF
FFSSS
FSFSS
FSSFS
FSSSF
SFFSS
SFSFS

n!
y!(n-y)!

10 combinations!

n taken y times

n
y

n!
y!(n-y)!
5!
3! 2!

=
=
=

5x4x3x2x1
3x2x1x2x1

120
12

= 10

5x4x3x2!
3x2x1 x2!

60
=
= 10
6

5x4x 3!

20
=
= 10
2

3! x2x1

Now, bring out your scientific

calculator!
Locate nCr
This corresponds to your nCy
Instruction
1. Press <5>
2. Press <shift> <nCr>
3. Press <3>
Answer is 10

Therefore, the Binomial Probability

Distribution is

p(y) =

py qn-y , y= 0, 1, 2, . . ., n

Example 1.
Experience has shown that 30% of the
persons afflicted by a certain illness
recover. A drug company has developed
a new vaccine. Ten people with the
illness were selected at random and
injected with the vaccine; nine recovered
shortly thereafter. Suppose that the
vaccine was absolutely worthless. What
is the probability that exactly nine of
ten injected by the vaccine will recover?

Solution
Given:
n = 10
y=9
p = .3
q = .7

p(y)=

py qn-y , y= 0, 1, 2, . . ., n

p(y=9)

p(y=9)

= 10 x 0.00019683 x 0.7

p(y=9)

= 0.000137781

.39 .71

Example 2.
Experience has shown that 30% of the
persons afflicted by a certain illness
recover. A drug company has developed
a new vaccine. Ten people with the
illness were selected at random and
injected with the vaccine; nine recovered
shortly thereafter. Suppose that the
vaccine was absolutely worthless. What
is the probability that exactly ten
injected by the vaccine will recover?

Solution
Given:
n = 10
y = 10
p = .3
q = .7

p(y)=

py qn-y , y= 0, 1, 2, . . ., n
.310 .70

p(y=10)

p(y=10)

= 1 x 0.0000059049 x 1

p(y=10)

= 0.0000059049

Example 3.
Experience has shown that 30% of the
persons afflicted by a certain illness
recover. A drug company has developed
a new vaccine. Ten people with the
illness were selected at random and
injected with the vaccine; nine recovered
shortly thereafter. Suppose that the
vaccine was absolutely worthless. What
is the probability that at least 9 of 10
injected by the vaccine will recover?

Solution
p(y9)

= p(y=9) + p(y=10) = 0.0001436859

The event is at least 9 of 10 will recover

Additive rule of probability

p(S) = 1

Formula
10

p(y9)

y=9

0.3y 0.710-y

Example 4.
Experience has shown that 30% of the
persons afflicted by a certain illness
recover. A drug company has developed
a new vaccine. Ten people with the
illness were selected at random and
injected with the vaccine; nine recovered
shortly thereafter. Suppose that the
vaccine was absolutely worthless. What
is the probability that at least 2 of 10
injected by the vaccine will recover?

Solution
p(2) = p(y=2) + p(y=3) +

...

+ p(y=10)

p(2) = 1 - [ p(y=0) + p(y=1) ]

p(S) = 1

At least 2 will recover

Formula
1

p(y2)

1-

0.3y 0.710-y

= 0.85069

y=0

p(y=0)

0.30 0.710

0.0282475

p(y=1)

0.31 0.79

0.1210608

p(y2)

= 1-

( 0.0282475 + 0.1210608 )

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Questions???
Thank you!!!