Syntax
HYPGEOM.DIST(sample_s, num_sample, pop_s, num_pop, cumulative)
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| sample_s | Parameter of the HYPGEOM.DIST function. |
| num_sample | Parameter of the HYPGEOM.DIST function. |
| pop_s | Parameter of the HYPGEOM.DIST function. |
| num_pop | Parameter of the HYPGEOM.DIST function. |
| cumulative | Parameter of the HYPGEOM.DIST function. |
Examples
Drawing 2 aces from 5 cards
Formula
=HYPGEOM.DIST(2, 5, 4, 52, FALSE)
Returns ~0.0399. In a 5-card poker hand from a standard 52-card deck with 4 aces, there is about a 4% chance of getting exactly 2 aces.
At most 1 defective in sample of 10
Formula
=HYPGEOM.DIST(1, 10, 5, 100, TRUE)
Returns ~0.9231. If a lot of 100 items has 5 defective ones, drawing a sample of 10 gives a 92.3% chance of finding 1 or fewer defective items.
Lottery probability
Formula
=HYPGEOM.DIST(3, 6, 6, 49, FALSE)
Returns ~0.0177. The chance of matching exactly 3 out of 6 numbers in a 6/49 lottery is about 1.8%.
Common Errors
#NUM!
All arguments must be non-negative integers. sample_s cannot exceed num_sample or pop_s, and num_sample cannot exceed num_pop.
#VALUE!
Occurs when arguments are non-numeric.
Tips
Without replacement vs. binomial
Use HYPGEOM.DIST when sampling without replacement from a finite population. If the population is very large relative to the sample, BINOM.DIST gives a similar result and is simpler.
Quality control standard
This is the go-to distribution for acceptance sampling in manufacturing QC — checking whether a batch meets quality standards based on a random sample.
Cumulative for acceptance criteria
Set cumulative=TRUE to answer 'what is the probability of finding c or fewer defective items in my sample?' — the standard question in lot acceptance testing.
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