Statistics for Maintenance Modelling: Continuous Lifetime Distributions 1

# Using the Gumbel Probability Density Function in Excel¤

Use Excel's Solver to find the value for which the extreme value's probability density function is greatest when is 5 and t is 3.0. Type your answer into the textbox to 2 decimal places and click the "Check Answer" button. Click the "Hint" button for some help in working out the answer. Click here to launch Excel - if this opens in Internet Explorer, click here.

Click here if you can't see the Solver option on the Tools menu.

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Yes, that's right. Typing EXP((3-5)/A1)*EXP(-EXP((3-5)/A1))/A1 as f(t) and using the Solver function to find the value of which maximises this expression results in = 1.48.

No, = 1.48.

If EXP((3-5)/A1)*EXP(-EXP((3-5)/A1))/A1 is the probability density function in cell B1 with an initial value for in cell A1, and the Solver dialog is set up as shown then 1.48 is the value that maximises the probability density function.