title: Computation of most probable numbers.
abstract: A rapid computational method for maximum likelihood estimation of most-probable-number values, incorporating a modified Newton-Raphson method, is presented. The method offers a much greater reliability for the most-probable-number estimate of total viable bacteria, i.e., those capable of growth in laboratory media.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological; D011336:Probability