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GAMMA.DIST

The GAMMA.DIST function calculates the gamma distribution probability for a specified x value, alpha and beta parameters. This function is often used in statistics to model continuous data that is skewed to the right. It can be used to analyze data in various fields such as finance, engineering, and social sciences.

Usage

Use the GAMMA.DIST formula with the syntax shown below, it has 4 required parameters:

=GAMMA.DIST(x, alpha, beta, cumulative)
Parameters:
  1. x (required):
    The numeric value at which to evaluate the distribution.
  2. alpha (required):
    The shape parameter of the distribution. Must be greater than 0.
  3. beta (required):
    The scale parameter of the distribution. Must be greater than 0.
  4. cumulative (required):
    A logical value that specifies the form of the function. If true, GAMMA.DIST returns the cumulative distribution function; if false, it returns the probability density function.

Examples

Here are a few example use cases that explain how to use the GAMMA.DIST formula in Google Sheets.

Calculating the probability of an event

Suppose we want to calculate the probability of an event that follows a gamma distribution. We can use GAMMA.DIST to calculate the probability of the event occurring at a specific value of x.

Modeling wait times

GAMMA.DIST can be used to model wait times in a queue. For example, it can be used to model the time a customer spends waiting in line at a store or the time it takes for a customer service representative to respond to a call.

Analyzing insurance claims

Insurance companies can use GAMMA.DIST to analyze the frequency and severity of claims. By modeling claims data with a gamma distribution, they can estimate the expected value of claims and set premiums accordingly.

Common Mistakes

GAMMA.DIST not working? Here are some common mistakes people make when using the GAMMA.DIST Google Sheets Formula:

Incorrect order of arguments

One common mistake is to input the arguments in the wrong order. Make sure to input x, alpha, beta and cumulative in the correct order.

Invalid input type

Make sure that the input values for x, alpha, beta and cumulative are valid numbers.

Invalid input range

Make sure that your input values for x, alpha and beta are greater than 0 and that cumulative is either TRUE or FALSE.

The following functions are similar to GAMMA.DIST or are often used with it in a formula:

  • GAMMA.INV

    The GAMMA.INV formula returns the inverse of the cumulative distribution function for a specified probability and the Gamma distribution. It is commonly used in statistical analysis to find the value at which a specified percentage of the distribution lies. The Gamma distribution is a continuous probability distribution that is used to model the time until a certain number of events occur.

  • GAMMALN

    The GAMMALN function returns the natural logarithm of the absolute value of the Gamma function, Γ(x). The Gamma function is defined as an extension of the factorial function to complex and real numbers. The function is commonly used in probability theory and statistics to compute probabilities and to model continuous distributions such as the chi-squared and F distributions.

  • GAMMALN.PRECISE

    The GAMMALN.PRECISE function calculates the natural logarithm of the absolute value of the gamma function for a given positive number. The gamma function is a commonly used function in mathematics and statistics. The natural logarithm of the gamma function is useful in various fields, such as physics, biology, and engineering, for modeling various phenomena.

Learn More

You can learn more about the GAMMA.DIST Google Sheets function on Google Support.