| What the name means | "Generate a value from a probability distribution"
| | Syntax | Distribution ( DistMin, DistMid, DistMax, DistType, [RandOpt] )
| | Description | Given a probability or using one generated from a random number, the function returns the value of a deviate from the specified distribution. This function is the opposite of CumProb.
| | Volatility | This function is termed 'volatile', which means it recalculates whenever the worksheet is recalculated, regardless of whether any of its inputs have changed. See Volatility.
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| Variable | Type or Value | Description |
|---|
Inputs: (5)
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| 1
| DistMin
| Float
| Minimum Point of a Distribution (either p=0 or as defined for the distribution type DistType)
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| 2
| DistMid
| Float
| Mid Point of a Distribution (either p=0.5 or as defined for the distribution type DistType)
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| 3
| DistMax
| Float
| Maximum Point of a Distribution (either p=1 or as defined for the distribution type DistType)
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| 4
| DistType
| Real Integer
| Distribution type(1=uniform, etc - see variable detail for values)
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| 5
| RandOpt
| Float (Optional)
| Either a random number between zero and ,1 or alternatively -1 for the function to choose its own a random number (defaults to random)
(Optional)
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Output:
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| Return Value
| Deviate
| Float
| A value belonging to the distribution
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Defaults and Values The variable(s) of this function have certain defaults and/or switch values associated with them. Click here to see more. | Type of Value | Value | Description | Detail | | Default(s)
| DistType | 1 | Uniform Distribution
| | RandOpt | -1 | Random Number Generated | | Switches
| DistType | 1 | Uniform Distribution
| | | 2 | Triangular Distribution
| | | 3 | Double Triangular Distribution
| | | 4 | Normal Distribution
| | | 5 | Log Normal Distribution
| | RandOpt | -1 | Random Number Generated |
The use of DistMin, DistMid and DistMax is to speed up data input by enabling you to specify a distribution using layman's terms instead of specifying statistical parameters. Strict statistical paramteres can be used with any of the stand-alone distribution functions if so desired.
The values of DistMin, DistMid and DistMax are as follows:
| Distribution | DistMin | DistMid | DistMax |
|---|
| Uniform | Minimum (0%) | (Ignored) | Maximum (100%)
| | Triangular | Minimum (0%) | Mode (Apex) | Maximum (100%)
| | Double Triangular | Minimum (0%) | Median (Apex, 50%) | Maximum (100%)
| | Normal | Minimum (1%) | Median (50%) | Maximum (99%)
| | LogNormal | Minimum (1%) | Median (50%) | Maximum (99%) |
Percentages refer to cumulative probability levels. For functions where the maximum and minimum do not (and could not) represent the limits of the distribution (such as the Normal, which attenuates gently to zero over and infinitely long tail) the distribution is truncated at the probability levels specified above. In otherwords, the distribution function will force values outside of the central 98% (1%>p>99%) to the specified minimum or maximum. | Key Points | | Values For DistType 
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Examples | - Preview of the Distribution example.
- The above spreadsheet can be accessed from the Quick Reference (on the Business Functions menu), on the Examples menu, or in the Business Functions\Component Examples directory
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