Binomial Distribution

The binomial distribution is a

discrete distribution.
 Binomial Experiment

 A binomial experiment has the following properties:

 experiment consists of n identical and independent trials

 each trial results in one of two outcomes: success or failure

 P(success) = p

 P(failure) = q = 1 - p for all trials

 The random variable of interest, X, is the number of successes

in the n trials.

 X has a binomial distribution with parameters n and p

 EXAMPLES

 A coin is flipped 10 times. Success = head.

 X = n= p=
 
 Twelve pregnant women selected at random, take a home
pregnancy test. Success = test says pregnant.
 X = n= p=?
 
 Random guessing on a multiple choice exam. 25 questions.
4 answers per question. Success = right answer.
 X = n= p=
 Examples when assumptions do not hold

 Basketball player shoots ten free throws

 Feedback affects independence and constant p

 Barrel contains 3 red apples and 4 green apples;

select 4 apples without replacement; X = # of red
apples.
 Without replacement implies dependence
 What is P(x) for binomial?

n! x n x
P( x)  p q
x!(n  x)!
 Mean and Standard Deviation

 The mean (expected value) of a binomial

random variable is   np

 The standard deviation of a binomial

  isnpq
random variable
 Example

 Random Guessing; n = 100 questions.

 Probability of correct guess; p = 1/4
 Probability of wrong guess; q = 3/4
1
 Expected Value =   np  100    25
 On average, you will get 25 right.
 4 
 Standard Deviation =
 1  3 
  npq  np  1  p   100     4.33
 4  4 
 Example

 Cancer Treatment; n = 20 patients

 Probability of successful treatments; p = 0.7
 Probability of no success; q = ?

 Calculate the mean and standard deviation.

 Normal Approximation

 For large n, the binomial distribution can be

approximated by the normal,

X  np
Z
npq
is approximately standard normal for large n.