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Geometric distribution calculator

The model counts independent trials until the first success, so X starts at 1.

Selected calculation result: —

Fill in the fields above — the result is computed on this page.

k or quantile
—
P(X = k)
—
P(X ≤ k)
—
P(X ≥ k)
—
Mean 1/p
—
Variance
—
Standard deviation
—

Probabilities around the selected k

k P(X = k) P(X ≤ k) P(X ≥ k)
Fill in the fields above — the result is computed on this page.
What do these numbers mean?
  • The mean number of trials until the first success is 1/p.
  • P(X ≥ k) includes success on trial k and every later possibility.

The model requires constant p and independent trials. Do not use it when probability changes over time or when sampling without replacement from a small population.

How do I use this page?
  1. Choose a probability calculation or quantile.
  2. Enter p and k or quantile level q.
  3. Compare the result with the mean and nearby k values.

What this page does not do: The model requires constant p and independent trials. Do not use it when probability changes over time or when sampling without replacement from a small population.

Further reading

Theory — what is the geometric distribution?

The geometric distribution describes the trial number on which the first success occurs, assuming each trial has the same probability p and trials are independent. In this convention X takes values 1, 2, 3, and so on, counting all trials including the one that succeeds. This distribution has the memoryless property: no success in earlier trials does not change the probability of success later on. Here X is the total number of trials until the first success, so the smallest possible value is 1.

Frequently asked questions

Does X count failures or all trials?
This page defines X as all trials up to and including the first success, so the smallest X is 1.
Does success become more likely after many failures?
Not in this model. With independent trials the probability on every next trial remains p.

See also

← All calculators

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