CHIINV

Microsoft Office Excel 2003

See Also

Returns the inverse of the one-tailed probability of the chi-squared distribution. If probability = CHIDIST(x,...), then CHIINV(probability,...) = x. Use this function to compare observed results with expected ones in order to decide whether your original hypothesis is valid.

Syntax

CHIINV(probability,degrees_freedom)

Probability    is a probability associated with the chi-squared distribution.

Degrees_freedom    is the number of degrees of freedom.

Remarks

  • If either argument is nonnumeric, CHIINV returns the #VALUE! error value.
  • If probability < 0 or probability > 1, CHIINV returns the #NUM! error value.
  • If degrees_freedom is not an integer, it is truncated.
  • If degrees_freedom < 1 or degrees_freedom ≥ 10^10, CHIINV returns the #NUM! error value.

Given a value for probability, CHIINV seeks that value x such that CHIDIST(x, degrees_freedom) = probability. Thus, precision of CHIINV depends on precision of CHIDIST. CHIINV uses an iterative search technique. If the search has not converged after 100 iterations, the function returns the #N/A error value.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

ShowHow?

  1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
  2. Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

    Selecting an example from Help

    Selecting an example from Help

  3. Press CTRL+C.
  4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
  5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.
 
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A B
Data Description
0.05 Probability associated with the chi-squared distribution
10 Degrees of freedom
Formula Description (Result)
=CHIINV(A2,A3) Inverse of the one-tailed probability of the chi-squared distribution (18.30703)