Binomial Distribution

In probability theory and statistics, the binomial distribution is the discrete probability distribution
that gives only two possible results in an experiment, either Success or Failure. For example, if we
toss a coin, there could be only two possible outcomes: heads or tails, and if any test is taken, then
there could be only two results: pass or fail. This distribution is also called a binomial probability
distribution.

There are two parameters n and p used here in a binomial distribution. The variable ‘n’ states the
number of times the experiment runs and the variable ‘p’ tells the probability of any one outcome.
Suppose a die is thrown randomly 10 times, then the probability of getting 2 for anyone throw is ⅙.
When you throw the dice 10 times, you have a binomial distribution of n = 10 and p = ⅙. Learn the
formula to calculate the two outcome distribution among multiple experiments along with solved
examples here in this article.

Table of Contents:

Definition
Negative Binomial Distribution
Examples
Formula
Mean and Variance
Binomial Distribution Vs Normal Distribution
Properties
Solved Problems
Practice Problems
FAQs

Binomial Probability Distribution

In binomial probability distribution, the number of ‘Success’ in a sequence of n experiments, where
each time a question is asked for yes-no, then the boolean-valued outcome is represented either with
success/yes/true/one (probability p) or failure/no/false/zero (probability q = 1 − p). A single
success/failure test is also called a Bernoulli trial or Bernoulli experiment, and a series of outcomes is
called a Bernoulli process. For n = 1, i.e. a single experiment, the binomial distribution is
a Bernoulli distribution. The binomial distribution is the base for the famous binomial test of
statistical importance.

Negative Binomial Distribution

In probability theory and statistics, the number of successes in a series of independent and identically
distributed Bernoulli trials before a particularised number of failures happens. It is termed as the
negative binomial distribution. Here the number of failures is denoted by ‘r’. For instance, if we throw
a dice and determine the occurrence of 1 as a failure and all non-1’s as successes. Now, if we throw
a dice frequently until 1 appears the third time, i.e., r = three failures, then the probability distribution
of the number of non-1s that arrived would be the negative binomial distribution.

Binomial Distribution Examples

As we already know, binomial distribution gives the possibility of a different set of outcomes. In real
life, the concept is used for:

Finding the quantity of raw and used materials while making a product.
Taking a survey of positive and negative reviews from the public for any specific product or place.
By using the YES/ NO survey, we can check whether the number of persons views the particular channel.
To find the number of male and female employees in an organisation.
The number of votes collected by a candidate in an election is counted based on 0 or 1 probability.

Also, read:

Standard Normal Distribution

Cumulative Frequency Distribution
Frequency Distribution Table
Probability Distribution
Probability Class 11
Probability For Class 12

Binomial Distribution Formula

The binomial distribution formula is for any random variable X, given by;

P(x:n,p) = nCx px (1-p)n-x

Or

P(x:n,p) = nCx px (q)n-x

Where,

n = the number of experiments

x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, …
p = Probability of Success in a single experiment

q = Probability of Failure in a single experiment = 1 – p

The binomial distribution formula can also be written in the form of n-Bernoulli trials, where nCx = n!/x!
(n-x)!. Hence,

P(x:n,p) = n!/[x!(n-x)!].px.(q)n-x

Binomial Distribution Mean and Variance

For a binomial distribution, the mean, variance and standard deviation for the given number of
success are represented using the formulas

Mean, μ = np

Variance, σ2 = npq

Standard Deviation σ= √(npq)

Where p is the probability of success

q is the probability of failure, where q = 1-p

Binomial Distribution Vs Normal Distribution

The main difference between the binomial distribution and the normal distribution is that binomial
distribution is discrete, whereas the normal distribution is continuous. It means that the binomial
distribution has a finite amount of events, whereas the normal distribution has an infinite number of
events. In case, if the sample size for the binomial distribution is very large, then the distribution
curve for the binomial distribution is similar to the normal distribution curve.

Properties of Binomial Distribution

The properties of the binomial distribution are:

There are two possible outcomes: true or false, success or failure, yes or no.
There is ‘n’ number of independent trials or a fixed number of n times repeated trials.
The probability of success or failure remains the same for each trial.
Only the number of success is calculated out of n independent trials.
Every trial is an independent trial, which means the outcome of one trial does not affect the outcome of
another trial.

Binomial Distribution Examples And Solutions

Example 1: If a coin is tossed 5 times, find the probability of:
(a) Exactly 2 heads

(b) At least 4 heads.

Solution:

(a) The repeated tossing of the coin is an example of a Bernoulli trial. According to the problem:

Number of trials: n=5

Probability of head: p= 1/2 and hence the probability of tail, q =1/2

For exactly two heads:

x=2

P(x=2) = 5C2 p2 q5-2 = 5! / 2! 3! × (½)2× (½)3

P(x=2) = 5/16

(b) For at least four heads,

x ≥ 4, P(x ≥ 4) = P(x = 4) + P(x=5)

Hence,

P(x = 4) = 5C4 p4 q5-4 = 5!/4! 1! × (½)4× (½)1 = 5/32

P(x = 5) = 5C5 p5 q5-5 = (½)5 = 1/32

Therefore,

P(x ≥ 4) = 5/32 + 1/32 = 6/32 = 3/16

Example 2: For the same question given above, find the probability of:

a) Getting at most 2 heads

Solution: P (at most 2 heads) = P(X ≤ 2) = P (X = 0) + P (X = 1) + + P (X = 2)

P(X = 0) = (½)5 = 1/32

P(X=1) = 5C1 (½)5.= 5/32

P(x=2) = 5C2 p2 q5-2 = 5! / 2! 3! × (½)2× (½)3 = 5/16

Therefore,
P(X ≤ 2) = 1/32 + 5/32 + 5/16 = 1/2

Example 3:

A fair coin is tossed 10 times, what are the probability of getting exactly 6 heads and at least six
heads.

Solution:

Let x denote the number of heads in an experiment.

Here, the number of times the coin tossed is 10. Hence, n=10.

The probability of getting head, p ½

The probability of getting a tail, q = 1-p = 1-(½) = ½.

The binomial distribution is given by the formula:

P(X= x) = nCxpxqn-x, where = 0, 1, 2, 3, …

Therefore, P(X = x) = 10Cx(½)x(½)10-x

(i) The probability of getting exactly 6 heads is:

P(X=6) = 10C6(½)6(½)10-6

P(X= 6) = 10C6(½)10

P(X = 6) = 105/512.

Hence, the probability of getting exactly 6 heads is 105/512.

(ii) The probability of getting at least 6 heads is P(X ≥ 6)

P(X ≥ 6) = P(X=6) + P(X=7) + P(X= 8) + P(X = 9) + P(X=10)

P(X ≥ 6) = 10C6(½)10 + 10C7(½)10 + 10C8(½)10 + 10C9(½)10 + 10C10(½)10

P(X ≥ 6) = 193/512.

Practice Problems
Solve the following problems based on binomial distribution:

1. The mean and variance of the binomial variate X are 8 and 4 respectively. Find P(X<3).
2. The binomial variate X lies within the range {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}, provided that P(X=2) = 4P(x=4). Find the
parameter “p” of the binomial variate X.
 3. In binomial distribution, X is a binomial variate with n= 100, p= ⅓, and P(x=r) is maximum. Find the value of r.

Probability is a wide and very important topic for class 11 and class 12 students. By capturing the
concepts here at BYJU’S, students can excel in the exams.

Frequently Asked Questions on Binomial Distribution

Q1 What is meant by binomial distribution?
The binomial distribution is the discrete probability distribution that gives only two possible
results in an experiment, either success or failure.

Q2 Mention the formula for the binomial distribution.

The formula for binomial distribution is:
P(x: n,p) = nCx px (q)n-x
Where p is the probability of success, q is the probability of failure, n= number of trials

Q3 What is the formula for the mean and variance of the binomial
distribution?
The mean and variance of the binomial distribution are:
Mean = np
Variance = npq

Q4 What are the criteria for the binomial distribution?

The number of trials should be fixed.
Each trial should be independent.
The probability of success is exactly the same from one trial to the other trial.

Q5 What is the difference between a binomial distribution and normal

distribution?
The binomial distribution is discrete, whereas the normal distribution is continuous.