Statistical - POISSON.DIST Function

Description

The POISSON.DIST function returns the Poisson distribution. A common application of the Poisson distribution is predicting the number of events over a specific time.

Syntax

POISSON.DIST(x,mean,cumulative)

Arguments

Argument Description Required/ Optional
X The number of events. Required
Mean The expected numeric value. Required
Cumulative

A logical value that determines the form of the probability distribution returned.

If cumulative is TRUE, POISSON.DIST returns the cumulative Poisson probability that the number of random events occurring will be between zero and x inclusive.

If cumulative is FALSE, POISSON.DIST returns the Poisson probability mass function that the number of events occurring will be exactly x.

 Required

Notes

  • POISSON.DIST is calculated as follows −

    • For cumulative = FALSE,

      $$POISSON=\frac{E_-\lambda \lambda^x }{x!}$$

    • For cumulative = TRUE,

      $$CUMPOISSON=\sum_{k=0}^{x}\frac{e^ {-\lambda} \lambda^x}{k!}$$

  • If x is not an integer, it is truncated.

  • If x or mean is nonnumeric, POISSON.DIST returns the #VALUE! error value.

  • If x < 0, POISSON.DIST returns the #NUM! error value.

  • If mean < 0, POISSON.DIST returns the #NUM! error value.

Applicability

Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016

Example

Poisson.Dist Function
advanced_excel_statistical_functions.htm
Advertisements