Hypergeometric Distribution Calculation in Libreoffice

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the use of the HYPGEOM.DIST function in LibreOffice for calculating probabilities in a card game scenario. The command format is HYPGEOM.DIST(X; NSample; Successes; NPopulation; Cumulative), where X represents the number of successful outcomes in the sample. The user initially applies the function to determine the probability of player two flipping a card greater than six, yielding a result of approximately 35.8%. However, it is clarified that for a single card flip, a hypergeometric distribution is unnecessary, and simpler probability calculations should be used instead.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of probability theory, specifically hypergeometric distribution.
  • Familiarity with LibreOffice Calc and its functions.
  • Basic knowledge of card game mechanics and outcomes.
  • Ability to interpret statistical results and their implications.
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the use of HYPGEOM.DIST in various scenarios beyond card games.
  • Learn about simple probability calculations for single events.
  • Investigate other statistical functions in LibreOffice Calc, such as NORM.DIST and POISSON.DIST.
  • Study the principles of combinatorics as they relate to probability distributions.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for statisticians, data analysts, students of probability, and anyone interested in applying statistical functions in LibreOffice for practical scenarios.

Euler2718
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Given this libreoffice command:

HYPGEOM.DIST(X; NSample; Successes; NPopulation; Cumulative)

>X is the number of results achieved in the random sample.

>NSample is the size of the random sample.

>Successes is the number of possible results in the total population.

>NPopulation is the size of the total population.

>Cumulative : 0 or False calculates the probability density function. Other values or True calculates the cumulative distribution function.

Consider: Two players have 10 cards each, face down. Player one flips a card over and gets a 6. What's the probability of player two flipping a card greater than six.

Is this the right way to use the command:

=HYPGEOM.DIST(1,10,4,52,0)

It gives ~35.8%. Just wondering if I was interpreting the question and the command right.

Edit: I assumed suits are irrelevant and repetition is allowed.
 
Last edited:
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If player 2 flips over a single card, you don't need a hypergeometric distribution. You just need the number of cards available and the number of cards larger than 6. It does not matter how many cards are face down, or not distributed at all.

Is this a homework question?
 
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mfb said:
If player 2 flips over a single card, you don't need a hypergeometric distribution. You just need the number of cards available and the number of cards larger than 6. It does not matter how many cards are face down, or not distributed at all.

Is this a homework question?

Thanks for the insight.

No, it's not homework. I've just been curious with the probability of cards as of late and I'm not too good at probability.
 

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