Map and Table Calculation

CHISQUARE( ) function

Performs a -test.

Syntax

CHISQUARE(ValueColumn a, ValueColumn b)

Input

Output

Notes:

• The -test is calculated according to the following formula:
• The -test can generally be used to compare observed and theoretical frequencies. In particular, it can be used to test the null hypothesis that sample data have been drawn randomly from a normal distribution. The observed frequencies are compared with those which would be expected if the distribution were actually normal, with the same mean and standard deviation as computed from the sample data.
• The output of the -test has to be looked up in a table.
• The -test can also be performed through a dialog box, see Column Statistics.
• When the input value is undefined, the value is excluded in the calculation.

Tip:

When the definition symbol = is used, a dependent output column is created; when the assignment symbol := is used, the dependency link is immediately broken after the output column has been calculated.

Usable in

TabCalc

Examples

TabCalc example:

If a fair die is cast 96 times, the expected number of times that each number of pips is observed is 96/6=16.

If we observe 14 ones, 19 twos, 11 threes, 21 fours, 12 fives, and 19 sixes then:

The degree of freedom is 6-1=5 and this is not significant at the 5 percent level. The hypothesis that the die is fair is not rejected.

See also: