EXCEL and the POISSON DISTRIBUTION

Open up Microsoft Excel in Microsoft Office. In column A, row 2 type "Ex. 1a" and then place the cursor in row 2, column B.

Double click on the function key found on the tool bar.

From the pop-up menu that appears, choose "Statistical" from Function category, and then choose "Poisson" from Function list. Click OK.

Suppose Suppose we have the following Poisson probability problem: An ER at a Chicago hospital sees an average of 4.2 critical cases per 6-hour shift. Determine the following probabilities:

a) The probability that the number of critical cases on a 6-hour shift is 4

        

Fill in the chart as indicated: 4 for the number of successes, 4.2 for the mean, and Falsefor exact probability.

b) Find the probability that the number of critical cases is between three and eight, inclusive: Find the cumulative prob from up to and including eight.

    

Recall that TRUE will cause the program to calculate cumulative probability.

c) Find the probability that at least 10 critical cases will be seen during a 6-hour shift

Find the cumulative probability for 9 and subtract this from one (complement technique)

The answer sheet for this example would like something like this:

Now go to FILE - PAGE SETUP -SHEET and turn on the gridlines- then choose HEADER/FOOTER - CUSTOM HEADER to type your name and MA 161 in the Right Section, and a title in the center section. Hit OK , and Print.