This module allows students to explore concepts related to discrete random variables through the use of a simple playing card experiment. Students will compare empirical data to a theoretical distribution to determine if the experiment fist a discrete distribution. This lab involves the concept of long-term probabilities. Labs changed to incorporate mini-tabs.
Discrete Probability Lab
Name:
Student learning outcomes:
- The student will compare empirical data and a theoretical distribution to determine if everyday experiment fits a discrete distribution.
- The student will demonstrate an understanding of long-term probabilities.
Procedure: The experiment procedure is to pick one card from a deck of shuffled cards.
- The theoretical probability of picking a diamond from a deck is:
- Shuffle a deck of cards and pick one card from it and record whether it was a diamond or not a diamond.
- Put the card back and reshuffle.
- Do this a total of 10 times and record the number of diamonds picked.
- What is the experimental probability of drawing a diamond?
- How does the experimental probability compare to the theoretical probability? (high/low/about the same)
Using Minitab, simulate this experiment (drawing a card 10 times and recording the number of diamonds) for a total of 50 times.
Use Calc ->Random data ->Binomia l.
I organize the data:
Summarize the data generated in minitab and include determine both the frequency and relative frequency. record the result here:
X |
Frequency |
Relative Frequency |
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2. Calculate the following using Minitab. (include the session window)
= ________________________ s = ________________________
3. Construct a bar chart of the experimental data using the relative frequency as the vertical axis and attach it to this cover sheet. Don’t forget a title and labels for the graph
Ii. theoretical distribution
1. Using Minitab, build the theoretical PDF chart for X based on the distribution in the section above.
X |
P(X) |
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2. Calculate the following,
indicating the formulas :
μ = ________________________ σ = ________________________
3. Constuct a graph of the theoretical distribution by using:
graph
→
probability distribution plot
→
single view
→
Binomial
Attach the graph to this cover sheet.
Iii. using the data
Using the Theoretical probability table generated by Minitab, determine the following theoretical probabilities, rounding to 4 decimal places:
P(X = 3) =_______________ P(2<X<5) = _______________ P(X>8) _______________
Using the data from the Minitab simulation, determine the following empirical (experimental) probabilities:
P(X = 3) = _______________ P(2<X<5) = _______________ P(X>8) _______________
Iv. discussion questions:
Answer the following in complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper and attach it to this cover sheet.
- Knowing that data vary, describe
two similarities between the graphs and distributions of the theoretical and experimental distributions.
- Describe the
two most significant differences between the graphs or distributions of the theoretical and experimental distributions.
- Suppose that the experiment had been repeated 500 times. Would you expect the frequency table and bar chart in part I above to change? How and Why? Repeat the experiment and justify your answer. (Be sure to include the data summary and bar chart.)