# Google Sheets NEGBINOMDIST Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips

- URL: https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/negbinomdist-function
- Author: Better Analyst

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The NEGBINOMDIST function calculates the probability of a specified number of successes in a negative binomial distribution.

```
NEGBINOMDIST(num_failures, num_successes, prob_success)
```

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## Parameters

**`num_failures`**:\
The number of failures until the experiment is stopped.

**`num_successes`**:\
The number of successes that you want to achieve.

**`prob_success`**:\
The probability of success on each trial.

## What is NEGBINOMDIST?

The *NEGBINOMDIST* function in Google Sheets is a statistical function used to calculate the probability of a given number of failures before a specified number of successes occurs in a series of Bernoulli trials. This function is particularly useful in scenarios where you want to model the number of failures that occur before achieving a certain number of successes, making it an essential tool for probability analysis.

In simpler terms, NEGBINOMDIST helps you understand the likelihood of experiencing a certain number of failures before reaching your goal of successes.

## A Practical Example

Imagine you are conducting a quality control test on a manufacturing process, and you want to determine the probability of finding a certain number of defective items before you achieve a specified number of non-defective items.

### Parameters:

- **k**: The number of failures (defective items) you want to observe.
- **r**: The number of successes (non-defective items) you want to achieve.
- **p**: The probability of success on each trial (the likelihood of an item being non-defective).

For example, let's say you want to find the probability of getting 3 defective items before finding 5 non-defective items, with a 70% chance of an item being non-defective (30% chance of being defective).

## NEGBINOMDIST Formula

To achieve this, you would use the NEGBINOMDIST function as follows:

```
=NEGBINOMDIST(3, 5, 0.7)
```

In this formula:

- `3` is the number of failures (defective items).
- `5` is the number of successes (non-defective items).
- `0.7` is the probability of success (the probability of an item being non-defective).

## Result of the Formula

When you apply the NEGBINOMDIST formula, it will return the probability of observing 3 defective items before achieving 5 non-defective items. The output will be a decimal value representing this probability.

## Why Use NEGBINOMDIST?

NEGBINOMDIST is beneficial because it allows you to model real-world scenarios involving repeated trials with a focus on failures and successes. It provides insights into the likelihood of various outcomes, which can be crucial for decision-making in fields such as quality control, risk assessment, and project management.

## Key Takeaways:

- **NEGBINOMDIST**: A statistical function that calculates the probability of a specified number of failures before achieving a certain number of successes.
- **Applications**: Useful in quality control, risk assessment, and any scenario involving repeated trials with binary outcomes.
- **Understanding Probabilities**: Helps in understanding the likelihood of different outcomes in a probabilistic model.

NEGBINOMDIST is an essential function for anyone working with statistical analysis in Google Sheets, providing a powerful way to enhance your understanding of probabilities and outcomes.

Happy analyzing!

## Example use case

You have a table where Column A lists the number of failures before success, Column B lists the probability of success, and Column C calculates the negative binomial distribution using NEGBINOMDIST. This helps in analyzing the likelihood of achieving a certain number of successes in a given scenario.

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