Hypergeometric%20Probability%20Distribution

1
Hypergeometric Probability Distribution

• In cases where the sample size is relatively
  large compared to the population, a discrete
  distribution called hypergeometric may be useful.

2
The Hypergeometric Formula

• where
• S the possible number of successes
• N population size
• n the number of trials (sample size)
• x the number of successes in n trials and
• P(x) the probability of observing x successes
  in n trials.

3
Example

• A particular state finance committee has four
  Democrats and five Republicans. The governor has
  selected four members from this committee to
  serve on a special task force. What is the
  probability that the task force will be equally
  composed of Democrats and Republicans? What are
  the chances that all four members will come from
  one political party?

4
Example

• Recently four women and eight men applied for a
  job at the Baxter Company. The personnel manager
  claimed that the applicants were so equally
  qualified that he made the selection of the three
  people hired totally by random process. The
  selection resulted in three men and no women
  being selected. The women have filed
  discrimination charges against the company.
  Based on probability, what would you conclude
  about the suit? Discuss.