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Software => Computer software => Topic started by: Yule on January 26, 2006, 05:43:18 AM

Title: Entering Factorials to Exce
Post by: Yule on January 26, 2006, 05:43:18 AM

Have been given formula for calculating number of people befor more than 50% probability of two with same birthday. Wish to claclulate table of answers in excel. Uses functions Factorial (FACT) and to the power of (Power). Can not enter 'FACT(365)' into ecxel, probably too large a number.
Is there a solution?

Title: Re: Entering Factorials to Exce
Post by: Perfect Agent52 on January 26, 2006, 05:57:53 AM

try to use an equal sign before the FACT. Or just try to break down the number.

Title: Re: Entering Factorials to Exce
Post by: Yule on January 27, 2006, 07:00:45 AM

Advice accepted. Excel cannot cope with factorial 365. So have built a table for values of n in the equation People = Factorial 365/(factorial 365-n).
23 people result in a 50% probability of shared birthdays. 73 people and it is a statistical certainty.

Title: Re: Entering Factorials to Exce
Post by: Perfect Agent52 on January 27, 2006, 07:53:10 AM

Sounds like a good equation. I even learned something there. Didn't that the code what allow that big of a number, but good job on the equation.