Hypergeometric Distribution Calculator - Sampling Without Replacement Probability
Free hypergeometric distribution calculator. Calculate probabilities for sampling without replacement with step-by-step statistical solutions. Our calculator uses the hypergeometric formula P(X=k) = [C(K,k) × C(N-K,n-k)] / C(N,n) to compute exact probabilities for finite population sampling.
Last updated: December 15, 2024
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Total number of items in the population
Number of success items in the population
Number of items drawn from population
Number of successes you want in your sample
Distribution Results
P(X = 2):
0.274280
27.4280% probability
Mean (μ):
1.2500
Expected value
Std Dev (σ):
0.9295
√variance
Variance (σ²):
0.8640
Formulas Used:
- • P(X=k) = [C(K,k) × C(N-K,n-k)] / C(N,n)
- • Mean: μ = n × K / N
- • Variance: σ² = n × K × (N-K) × (N-n) / [N² × (N-1)]
- • Std Dev: σ = √variance
Calculation Steps:
- Step 1: Identify the parameters
- N = 52, K = 13, n = 5, k = 2
Key Concepts:
- • Sampling without replacement from finite population
- • Different from binomial (which assumes replacement)
- • Applies when population size is small or fixed
- • Example: Drawing cards, selecting defective items
- • Requires K ≤ N, n ≤ N, k ≤ min(n, K)
Hypergeometric Distribution Calculator Features
Formula
P(X=k) = [C(K,k)×C(N-K,n-k)] / C(N,n)
Exact probability for sampling without replacement
Formula
μ = n × K / N
Expected number of successes in sample
Formula
σ² = n×K×(N-K)×(N-n) / [N²(N-1)]
Includes finite population correction
Key Feature
No Replacement
Probabilities change with each draw
Method
C(n,k) = n! / (k!(n-k)!)
Counts ways to choose k items from n
Application
Lot Sampling
Inspect batches for defective items
Quick Example Result
Drawing 5 cards from a deck, probability of getting exactly 2 hearts
N=52 cards, K=13 hearts, n=5 cards drawn, k=2 hearts desired
Probability
0.2743
27.43% chance
How Our Hypergeometric Distribution Calculator Works
Our hypergeometric distribution calculator computes probabilities for sampling without replacement from finite populations. The calculator uses combinatorial mathematics to calculate the exact probability of getting a specific number of successes in a sample.
Hypergeometric Distribution Formula
Probability Mass Function:
P(X = k) = [C(K,k) × C(N-K, n-k)] / C(N,n)Where:
- • N = Population size
- • K = Number of success states in population
- • n = Sample size (number of draws)
- • k = Number of observed successes in sample
- • C(n,k) = Combinations (n choose k)
Mean (Expected Value):
μ = n × K / NVariance:
σ² = n × K × (N-K) × (N-n) / [N² × (N-1)]The hypergeometric distribution models sampling without replacement, where each draw changes the composition of the remaining population. The factor (N-n)/(N-1) is the finite population correction that distinguishes it from the binomial distribution.
Mathematical Foundation
The hypergeometric distribution is based on combinatorics. The numerator counts favorable outcomes: C(K,k) ways to choose k successes from K available, times C(N-K,n-k) ways to choose the remaining items from failures. The denominator C(N,n) counts all possible ways to choose n items from N. The ratio gives the exact probability.
- Based on combinatorial analysis and counting principles
- Sampling is done without replacement (items not returned)
- Applies to finite populations of known size
- Probability changes with each draw (dependent events)
- Reduces to binomial when N → ∞ (infinite population)
- Used in quality control, card games, and survey sampling
Sources & References
- Introduction to Probability - Joseph K. Blitzstein, Jessica HwangComprehensive coverage of discrete distributions
- Probability and Statistics - Morris H. DeGroot, Mark J. Schervish (4th Edition)Standard reference for probability distributions
- Khan Academy - Probability and StatisticsFree educational resources for probability
Need other statistical tools? Check out our variance calculator and geometric mean calculator.
Get Custom Calculator for Your PlatformHypergeometric Distribution Examples
Given Information:
- N (Population): 52 cards in deck
- K (Successes): 13 hearts
- n (Sample): 5 cards drawn
- k (Desired): 2 hearts
Calculation Steps:
- C(13,2) = 78 ways to choose 2 hearts
- C(39,3) = 9,139 ways to choose 3 non-hearts
- C(52,5) = 2,598,960 total 5-card hands
- P(X=2) = (78 × 9,139) / 2,598,960
- P(X=2) ≈ 0.2743 or 27.43%
Result: P(X = 2) = 0.2743 (27.43%)
Expected mean: μ = 5 × 13/52 = 1.25 hearts per hand
Quality Control Example
Batch of 100 items, 10 defective. Sample 20 items.
P(exactly 3 defective) = hypergeometric(100, 10, 20, 3)
Lottery Example
Choose 6 from 49 numbers, 5 are winners
P(matching k numbers) uses hypergeometric
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