Binomial Distribution

Binomial distribution is a discrete probability distribution. This distribution was discovered

by a Swiss Mathematician James Bernoulli. It is used in such situations where an experiment
results in two possibilities success and failure. Binomial distribution is-a discrete probability
distribution which expresses the probability of one set of two alternatives - success (p) and
failure (l -q).

Definition of Binomial Distribution

Binomial distribution is defined and given by the following probability function:

P(X =x)=ncxpxqn-x

Where, p = probability of success, q = probability of failure = I-p, n = number of trials,

P(x} = probability of x successes in n trials.

By substituting the different values of X in the above probability function of the Binomial
distribution, we can obtain the probability of 0, 1,2, ..... n successes as follows:

Conditions or Assumptions to Apply Binomial Distribution

Binomial distribution can be used only under the following conditions:

(1) Finite Number of Trials: Under binomial distribution, an experiment is performed under
identical conditions for a finite and fixed number of trials i.e. number of trials is finite.

(2) Mutually Exclusive Outcomes: Each trial must result in two mutually exclusive
outcomes success or failure. For example, if a coin is tossed, then either the head (H) may
turn up or the tail (T) may turn up.

(3) The probability of success in each trial is constant: In each trial, the probability of
success, denoted by p remains constant. In other words, the probability of success in different
trials does not change. For example, in tossing a coin, the probability of getting a head in each
toss remains the same i.e. p=P(H)=1/2.

(4) Trials are independent: In binomial distribution, statistical independent among trials is
assumed i.e. the outcome of any trial does not affect the outcomes
Properties/Characteristics of Binomial Distribution
The following are the important properties or characteristics of binomial distribution:

(1) Theoretical Frequency Distribution: The binomial distribution is a theoretical frequenc'

distribution which is based on Binomial Theorem Of algebra. With the help of this
distribution, we can obtain the theoretical frequencies by multiplying the probability of
success by the total number (N).
(2) Discrete Probability Distribution: The binomial distribution is a discrete probability
distribution in which the number of successes 0, 1,2, 3, n are given in whole numbers and
not in fractions.

(3) Line Graph: The binomial distribution can be presented graphically by means of a line
graph graph. The number of successes (x) is taken on the x-axis and, the probability of
successes (P) take:: on the y-axis.

(4) Shape of Binomial Distribution: The shape of binomial distribution depends on the
values of p, q and n which is shown below:

(i) If P =1/2, the binomial distribution is perfectly symmetrical for any 2 value of Binomial
Probability Distribution for n = 4 P = !. 2

(ii) If p : ≠ 1/2,the binomial distribution will be asymmetrical i.e. the 2

binomial distribution is skewed. If p < 1, the distribution will be positively skewed and if p >!
distribution will be negatively skewed. If the value of n increases for p ≠ q, the asymmetry
skewness in the distribution diminishes.

(5) Main Parameters: The binomial distribution has two parameters n and p. The entire
distribution can be known from these parameters.

(6) Constants of Binomial Distribution : The constants of Binomial distribution are

obtained by using the formula,

Mean=np Variance = npq