The Hypergeometric Distribution

The hypergeometric distribution arises when a random selection (without repetition) is made among objects of two distinct types. Typical examples:

Choose a team of 8 from a group of 10 boys and 7 girls
Choose a committee of five from the legislature consisting of 52 Democrats and 48 Republicans

The hypergeometric distribution is described by three parameters: N, the total number of objects; R, the number of objects of the first type; and k the number of objects to be chosen. The probability function f(x) is
f(x) = C(R,x)*C(N-R, k-x) / C(N,k) for x=max(0,k+R-N)..min(R,k)
where C(n,k) is the binomial coeffiecient.

To Play:

Choose numbers by clicking on the cells. These numbers will be indicated by magenta backgrounds. Hit the "play" button and the computer will choose the winning numbers (indicated by red backgrounds). The random variable X is the number of matches between your choices, indicated by gold backgrounds.

NOTE: This applet should work with the java 1.4 plugin. The applet will appear in a separate window.

Source Code

This applet uses the Danby package in additon to the following java files:

Other Java Programs for Probability and Statistics

Other applets related to probability and statistics.
The Calico Stat java programs for statistics

This applet was written by Charles Stanton