Hypergeometric Distribution Calculator

Evaluate probabilities of drawing k successes in n draws without replacement from a finite population.

P(X = k): 0.133032

P(X ≤ k): 0.953975

P(X ≥ k): 0.046025

Mean: 2.400

Variance: 1.489

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Define total population size, N.
  2. Specify how many of those are successes, K.
  3. Enter the number of draws n (without replacement).
  4. Provide k, the observed number of successes in your sample.
  5. Review point and cumulative probabilities along with mean and variance.

Formula

P(X = k) = [C(K, k) · C(N − K, n − k)] / C(N, n)

Mean = n · K / N

Variance = n · K · (N − K) · (N − n) / [N² · (N − 1)]

The hypergeometric distribution models sampling without replacement. When sampling with replacement, the binomial distribution applies instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use the hypergeometric distribution?

Use it when sampling without replacement from a finite population containing successes and failures.

What happens when N is large?

As N grows (with fixed n), the hypergeometric distribution approaches the binomial distribution.

Can k exceed n?

No. k must lie between max(0, n + K − N) and min(n, K). Outside this range, the probability is zero.