The Hypergeometric Distribution
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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)

To Play:
Choose numbers by clicking on the cells. These numbers will be indicated by blue 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 magenta backgrounds.

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