Chapter 11: Probability Distribution Functions and Inverses

BETDF

This function evaluates the beta cumulative distribution function.

Function Return Value

BETDF — Probability that a random variable from a beta distribution having parameters PIN and QIN will be less than or equal to X.   (Output)

Required Arguments

X — Argument for which the beta distribution function is to be evaluated.   (Input)

PIN — First beta distribution parameter.   (Input)
PIN must be positive.

QIN — Second beta distribution parameter.   (Input)
QIN must be positive.

FORTRAN 90 Interface

Generic:                              BETDF (X, PIN, QIN)

Specific:                             The specific interface names are S_BETDF and D_BETDF.

FORTRAN 77 Interface

Single:                                BETDF (X, PIN, QIN)

Double:                              The double precision name is DBETDF.

Description

Function BETDF evaluates the cumulative distribution function of a beta random variable with parameters PIN and QIN. This function is sometimes called the incomplete beta ratio and, with
p = PIN and q = QIN, is denoted by Ix(p, q). It is given by

 

where Γ(⋅) is the gamma function. The value of the distribution function Ix(p, q) is the probability that the random variable takes a value less than or equal to x.

The integral in the expression above is called the incomplete beta function and is denoted by
βx(p, q). The constant in the expression is the reciprocal of the beta function (the incomplete function evaluated at one) and is denoted by β(pq).

Function BETDF uses the method of Bosten and Battiste (1974).

Figure 11- 7   Beta Distribution Function

Comments

Informational errors

Type Code

1         1                  Since the input argument X is less than or  equal to zero, the distribution function  is equal to zero at X.

1         2                  Since the input argument X is greater than or equal to one, the distribution function is equal to one at X.

Example

Suppose X is a beta random variable with parameters 12 and 12. (X has a symmetric distribution.) In this example, we find the probability that X is less than 0.6 and the probability that X is between 0.5 and 0.6. (Since X is a symmetric beta random variable, the probability that it is less than 0.5 is 0.5.)

 

      USE UMACH_INT

      USE BETDF_INT

      IMPLICIT   NONE

      INTEGER    NOUT

      REAL       P, PIN, QIN, X

!

      CALL UMACH (2, NOUT)

      PIN = 12.0

      QIN = 12.0

      X   = 0.6

      P   = BETDF(X,PIN,QIN)

      WRITE (NOUT,99998) P

99998 FORMAT (' The probability that X is less than 0.6 is ', F6.4)

      X = 0.5

      P = P - BETDF(X,PIN,QIN)

      WRITE (NOUT,99999) P

99999 FORMAT (' The probability that X is between 0.5 and 0.6 is ', &

            F6.4)

      END

Output

 

The probability that X is less than 0.6 is 0.8364

The probability that X is between 0.5 and 0.6 is 0.3364



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