Table of Contents
A cumulative distribution function (CDF) in Excel is a graphical representation of the cumulative probability distribution of a set of data. It shows the probability of a certain value or less occurring in a data set. To plot a CDF in Excel, first organize the data in ascending order. Then, create a new column next to the data with the formula “=RANK.AVG(cell,range,0)/COUNT(range)” to calculate the cumulative probability for each data point. Next, select the data and insert a scatter plot. Right-click on the plot and select “Change Series Chart Type” and choose “Line with Markers.” Finally, add axis labels and a chart title to complete the CDF plot. This allows for a visual representation of the distribution of the data and can be useful in analyzing and understanding the behavior of the data set.
Plot a CDF in Excel
A cumulative distribution function (CDF) describes the probability that a random variable takes on a value less than or equal to some number.
We can use the following function in Excel to calculate cumulative distribution probabilities:
=NORM.DIST(x, MEAN, STANDARD_DEVIATION, TRUE)
The following example shows how to calculate and plot a CDF in Excel.
Example: Calculate & Plot CDF in Excel
First, let’s create the following dataset in Excel:
Next, let’s specify the mean and standard deviation of the distribution:
Next, we can calculate the cumulative distribution probability for the first value in the dataset by using the following formula:
=NORM.DIST(A2, $F$1, $F$2, TRUE)
Next, we can copy and paste this formula down to every other cell in column B:
The CDF is now complete. The way we interpret the values is as follows:
- The probability that the random variable will take on a value equal to or less than 6 is .00135.
- The probability that the random variable will take on a value equal to or less than 7 is .00383.
- The probability that the random variable will take on a value equal to or less than 8 is .00982.
And so on.
The values along the x-axis show the values from the dataset and the values along the y-axis show the CDF values.
Cite this article
stats writer (2024). How do you plot a cumulative distribution function (CDF) in Excel?. PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Retrieved from https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-do-you-plot-a-cumulative-distribution-function-cdf-in-excel/
stats writer. "How do you plot a cumulative distribution function (CDF) in Excel?." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 3 May. 2024, https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-do-you-plot-a-cumulative-distribution-function-cdf-in-excel/.
stats writer. "How do you plot a cumulative distribution function (CDF) in Excel?." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 2024. https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-do-you-plot-a-cumulative-distribution-function-cdf-in-excel/.
stats writer (2024) 'How do you plot a cumulative distribution function (CDF) in Excel?', PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Available at: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-do-you-plot-a-cumulative-distribution-function-cdf-in-excel/.
[1] stats writer, "How do you plot a cumulative distribution function (CDF) in Excel?," PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, vol. X, no. Y, ص Z-Z, May, 2024.
stats writer. How do you plot a cumulative distribution function (CDF) in Excel?. PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. 2024;vol(issue):pages.