Everyday hardy weinberg equilibrium problems come down to one relationship between number of alleles, p, q, enter how many people in the population are affected, expressed as “1 in n”, r, s and t. This calculator turns those numbers into unaffected, non-carrier (aa), homozygous aa — p^^2^^ and homozygous bb — q^^2^^, with the working shown so you can check the result rather than simply trust it.
What Is the Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium Calculator?
The hardy weinberg equilibrium calculator works out unaffected, non-carrier (aa), homozygous aa — p^^2^^ and homozygous bb — q^^2^^ from number of alleles, p, q, enter how many people in the population are affected, expressed as “1 in n”, r, s and t.
Biological relationships are usually approximations rather than exact laws, so the output is best treated as an estimate with a sensible range around it.
How the Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium Calculation Works
The calculation applies the relationship as published, step by step, so each intermediate value can be checked against the underlying theory.
Keep the units consistent throughout. Mixing a percentage with a proportion is the single most common source of an answer that is out by a factor of a hundred.
Assumptions Worth Knowing
Any relationship used here assumes a constant rate, a representative sample, or a stable population. Real populations rarely meet those conditions for long, so treat the answer as a guide.
Where the inputs are field measurements, a single misread value can shift the result noticeably. Measure carefully and record what you used.
A Worked Example
Working through an example, with number of alleles set to 2, p set to 10, q set to 5, the calculator returns homozygous aa — p^^2^^ of 100, and heterozygous ab — 2pq of 100, and homozygous bb — q^^2^^ of 25. Substitute your own figures and the same steps produce the same kind of answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to work out unaffected, non-carrier (aa)?
Enter number of alleles, p, q, enter how many people in the population are affected, expressed as “1 in n”, r, s and t. The calculator then works through the relationship and reports unaffected, non-carrier (aa), homozygous aa — p^^2^^ and homozygous bb — q^^2^^.
What does the hardy weinberg equilibrium actually calculate?
It takes number of alleles, p, q, enter how many people in the population are affected, expressed as “1 in n”, r, s and t and converts them into unaffected, non-carrier (aa), homozygous aa — p^^2^^ and homozygous bb — q^^2^^ using the standard relationship for this problem. Each step is applied in turn, so every output is traceable back to the numbers you typed in.
How should I enter number of alleles?
Use the value you actually have, in the unit shown next to the field. Enter every value in the same unit system. The calculator assumes the figures you supply are consistent, so it cannot correct a mistake that happens before the calculation starts.
Do I have to fill in every field?
Only the fields a particular result depends on. If you leave one blank, the results that need it simply show a note instead of a number, and everything else still works.
Why does a small change in one value move the answer so much?
That happens when an output depends on a ratio, because dividing by a small number magnifies any change in it. Check the units first, then check whether the value you entered is in the range the relationship was designed for.