Returns the F probability distribution. You can use this function to determine whether two data sets have different degrees of diversity. For example, you can examine test scores given to men and women entering high school and determine if the variability in the females is different from that found in the males.
Syntax
FDIST(x,degrees_freedom1,degrees_freedom2)
X is the value at which to evaluate the function.
Degrees_freedom1 is the numerator degrees of freedom.
Degrees_freedom2 is the denominator degrees of freedom.
Remarks
- If any argument is nonnumeric, FDIST returns the #VALUE! error value.
- If x is negative, FDIST returns the #NUM! error value.
- If degrees_freedom1 or degrees_freedom2 is not an integer, it is truncated.
- If degrees_freedom1 < 1 or degrees_freedom1 ≥ 10^10, FDIST returns the #NUM! error value.
- If degrees_freedom2 < 1 or degrees_freedom2 ≥ 10^10, FDIST returns the #NUM! error value.
- FDIST is calculated as FDIST=P( F<x ), where F is a random variable that has an F distribution.
Example
The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank spreadsheet.
How?- Create a blank spreadsheet.
- Select the example in the Help topic.
Selecting an example from Help
- Press CTRL+C.
- In the spreadsheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
- To switch between viewing the formula that returns the result and the result in the cell, select the cell and press F2 and then ENTER, or click Commands and Options on the spreadsheet toolbar, click the Formula tab, and look in the Formula in active cell (active cell) box.
| Data | Description |
|---|---|
| 15.20675 | Value at which to evaluate the function |
| 6 | Numerator degrees of freedom |
| 4 | Denominator degrees of freedom |
| Formula | Description (Result) |
| =FDIST(A2,A3,A4) | F probability distribution for the terms above (0.01) |