To compute the probability that in a random sample of n elements, selected without replacement, we will obtain x successes, we would use the
A) binomial probability distribution.
B) Poisson probability distribution.
C) hypergeometric probability distribution.
D) exponential probability distribution.

Question

To compute the probability that in a random sample of n elements, selected without replacement, we will obtain x successes, we would use th​e
A) ​binomial probability distribution.
B) ​Poisson probability distribution.
C) ​hypergeometric probability distribution.
D) ​exponential probability distribution.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The hypergeometric distribution is used to calculate the probability of x successes in a sample of size n, drawn without replacement from a finite population of size N that contains k successes. This situation is different from the binomial distribution where we draw with replacement, and from the Poisson distribution where the number of successes is related to a continuous or infinite event-count. The exponential distribution is used to model the time between events in a Poisson process, and is not relevant here.

To Compute the Probability That in a Random Sample of N