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Statistical function

BINOM.INV

Returns the smallest value for which the cumulative binomial distribution is at least the criterion.

Rarely usedDifficulty 1500 · AdvancedUsage rank #384 of 520

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When to use it

The smallest number of successes for which the cumulative binomial probability reaches alpha. Acceptance sampling and "how many do I need to plan for".

The shape of it

Syntax: =BINOM.INV(trials, probability_s, alpha)

Worked examples

Median
=BINOM.INV(10,0.5,0.5) → 5
The median number of heads in 10 flips.
Third quartile
=BINOM.INV(6,0.5,0.75) → 4
Four or fewer successes covers 75%.
Planning quantity
=BINOM.INV(100,0.02,0.95) → 5
Plan for 5 defects to be safe 95% of the time at a 2% rate.

Worth knowing

Inventory of returns: BINOM.INV(orders, return rate, 0.95) is the stock of returns to expect.
Replaces CRITBINOM.
Alpha is the cumulative probability, not a significance level here.

Where it goes wrong

#NUM! when alpha is outside 0 to 1 or p is outside 0 to 1.
Non-integer trials are truncated.

AVERAGE COUNT COUNTA COUNTIF COUNTIFS MAX

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