Beta Distribution Function isn't working properly...

[jameselmore]

Not sure why this function isn't working correctly but it's making me very irritated.

In mathematics, as well as in the function help window, this function is defined for alpha parameters >= 0. BUT! when I put in a value of alpha = 1 into the function I get the #NUM error.

I'm using a Mac version of excel 2011... Any ideas / work arounds for this error?

EDIT: I'm using the Beta.Dist function... and I'm looking for the PDF, not the CDF

[FDibbins]

I have never used this function, but the help file indicates that all data used must be values. Maybe check to make sure that you are using numbers and not text?

[jameselmore]

I tried a variety of things, even replaced cell references with hard numbers in the function and it still gave that error. Is it working for you?

[FDibbins]

I played around wiith the example they give, and changes some numbers...
2...Value at which to evaluate the function
1...Parameter of the distribution
1...Parameter of the distribution
1...Lower bound
3...Upper bound
Ans = 0.5

It worked fine until i changed the last number (upper bound) to 1 - that gave an error

[jameselmore]

You are using the BetaDist function which only gives the Cumulative Distribution of the beta distribution. I'm using the Beta.Dist function which has the option of giving the Probability distribution function.

I'm trying to call Beta.Dist(0,1,21,FALSE) but it isn't working...

[FDibbins]

Your prifile says 2003, maybe update that?

I am using 2007 and it does not have beta.dist, only betadist, so I cant help further on that 1, sorry

[XOR LX]

Hi,

According to Wikipedia, the Probability Density Function for the Beta Distribition is given by: f(x;α,β)=constant.x^(α-1)(1-x)^(β-1)

If this is correct, then entering your values will give an expression which begins: f(0;1,21)=constant.0^(1-1)... and, whatever may be your personal opinion on the definition of 0⁰, it seems that Excel for one treats it as 'not defined'.

Regards