Probability in a Geometric Distribution
Probability in a Geometric Distribution
A geometric distribution models the probability that an event with a given a priori probability achieves its first success after trials. For an event with probability , the expected number of trials before a success is , and the probability that the success occurs at trial is . The probability that the success occurs in a given range (with selected minimum and maximum) can be found by summing these probabilities.
p
n
p
1/p
n
n-1
p(1-p)
This Demonstration provides answers to the following questions: (1) for an event of given probability, how many trials, on average, does it take for a successful result?; and (2) what is the probability of a given number of trials before a success?