NORM.DIST

• How to use NORM.DIST formula?
• Examples of using NORM.DIST formula
• NORM.DIST formula not working?
• Similar formulas to NORM.DIST

Usage

Use the NORM.DIST formula with the syntax shown below, it has 3 required parameters and 1 optional parameter:

=NORM.DIST(x, mean, standard_deviation, cumulative)

1. x (required):
   The value for which you want the distribution.
2. mean (required):
   The arithmetic mean of the distribution.
3. standard_deviation (required):
   The standard deviation of the distribution.
4. cumulative (optional):
   A logical value that determines the form of the function. If cumulative is TRUE, NORM.DIST returns the cumulative distribution function; if FALSE, it returns the probability density function.

Examples

Calculating the probability of a value falling within a certain range

By using the NORM.DIST formula, you can calculate the probability of a random variable falling within a certain range of values, given its mean and standard deviation.

Analyzing data sets

The NORM.DIST formula is commonly used in scientific research to analyze data sets and determine the distribution of a variable.

Forecasting trends

In finance, the NORM.DIST formula can be used to forecast trends based on historical data.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect order of arguments

One common mistake is providing the arguments in the incorrect order, for example, providing the standard deviation as the first argument instead of the third. This will result in incorrect calculations. Double-check the order of the arguments and ensure that they match the specified syntax.

Incorrect values for arguments

Another common mistake is providing incorrect values for the arguments, such as a negative value for the standard deviation or mean. This can result in errors or unexpected results. Double-check the values you are providing and ensure they are valid for the calculations you are trying to perform.

Forgetting to set cumulative

The cumulative argument is optional, but if it is not set, the function will default to TRUE (cumulative distribution). If you want to calculate the probability density function instead, you need to set cumulative to FALSE. Forgetting to set this argument can lead to incorrect results.

Not understanding the output

The output of NORM.DIST is a probability, which represents the likelihood of a value occurring within a certain range. Some users may not understand the meaning of this output and interpret it incorrectly. Make sure you understand the meaning of the output and how to interpret it in the context of your calculations.

Confusing NORM.DIST with NORM.S.DIST

Google Sheets also has a function called NORM.S.DIST, which calculates the standard normal cumulative distribution. Some users may confuse this with NORM.DIST and use it incorrectly. Make sure you are using the correct function for your calculations.

Related Formulas

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

• NORM.S.DIST

  The NORM.S.DIST function returns the standard normal cumulative distribution function. It calculates the probability that a random variable with a standard normal distribution is less than or equal to x. This function is commonly used in statistical analysis and hypothesis testing.

• NORM.INV

  The NORM.INV function returns the inverse of the cumulative normal distribution for a specified mean and standard deviation. It is commonly used in statistical analysis to find the value at which a specified percentage of observations occur below that value.

• NORM.S.INV

  The NORM.S.INV function is a statistical function in Google Sheets that returns the inverse of the standard normal cumulative distribution function for a specified value. In other words, it returns the z-score that corresponds to a given probability. This function is commonly used in hypothesis testing, confidence interval estimation, and other statistical analyses.

Learn More

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