How to Set Up a Probability Problem With Minitab
- 1). Rewrite the probability problem you wish to set up in Minitab so that it adheres to standard form; that is, write your probability problem as P(X = a) for a probability density problem and as P(X < a) for a cumulative probability problem.
- 2). Open Minitab’s command session window through the menu toolbar. Click “Editor” and choose “enable commands” to display the text “mtb>.” Upon seeing this text, you know that you have successfully opened this command window. This is where you will type the commands.
- 3). Input the value “a” into Minitab as a specified variable. Use the command “set a.” The text “mtb>” will be replaced by “data>.” Type the value of “a” and hit "enter." Type “end” and hit "enter" again. The data will be stored.
- 4). Type “pdf a” or “cdf a” depending on whether you are setting up a probability density problem or a cumulative density problem. Follow the command by hitting "enter." The text “mtb>” will be replaced by “subc.”
- 5). Type the name of the distribution. For example, if you are computing a probability problem that deals with the poisson distribution, such as finding the probability of a certain number of typos in a book, type “poisson.” Follow the distribution name with a space.
- 6). Enter the parameters of the distribution, followed by spaces. Hit "enter" when finished. For example, the normal distribution takes the parameters “mu” and “sigma,” which represent the mean and standard deviation of the distribution, respectively. Thus, if you are solving a probability problem that investigates the normal distribution, type “mu=b sigma=c” where “b” and “c” are the mean and standard deviation of the distribution, respectively. This step finalizes the setting up of your probability problem.
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