How to Use the POISSON Function in Excel

This guide explains how to use POISSON Function in Excel, including its syntax, required arguments, practical examples, and common errors.

Description: The function returns the Poisson distribution, which is the basis for determining the number of events occurring over a defined period, for example, with the vehicle density on weekends, the number of vehicles passing through the toll booth in 1 minute. From the anticipation, there will be specific support measures.

Syntax: POISSON (x, mean, cumulative) .

Inside:

- x: Number of events, is a required parameter.

- mean: The value to be estimated (value in the form of numbers), is a required parameter.

- cumulative: A logical value that determines the format of the return value. The following values are available:

+ cumulative = TRUE => function returns the cumulative Poisson probability that 0

+ cumulative = FALSE: function returns the cumulative Poisson probability that the number of events = x.

Attention:

- Poission function is calculated by the formula:

+ cumulative = TRUE:

+ cumulative = FALSE:

- If x is a decimal, the function takes an integer value of x.

- x and the value must be numeric otherwise the function returns the #VALUE error.

- If x

- If mean the function returns the value #NUM!.

For example:

- Calculate Poission when cumulative = True :

In the cell to calculate enter the formula: = POISSON (D13, D14, D15) .

Pressing Enter results as:

- Calculate Poission when cumulative = False :

In the cell to calculate enter the formula: = POISSON (D13, D14, D16) .

Pressing Enter results as:

Thus the Poission function value at the cumulative value is different. Hopefully the Poission function will help you in predicting events that occur in a specified time period.

Good luck!