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

Hypergeometric Probability
Distribution
In cases where the sample size is relatively
large compared to the population, a discrete
distribution called hypergeometric may be
useful.
The Hypergeometric Formula
N S
n x
P( x)  C * C
s
x
N
n
/C
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.
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?
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.