The Constructing probability distributions exercise appears under the High school statistics and probability Math Mission. This exercise helps to explore creating a probability distribution (or random variable assignment) for a situation.
Types of Problems[]
There are two types of problems in this exercise:
- Create distribution from experiment: This problem provides some empirical data from a survey or situation. The student is asked to fill the histogram with the appropriate probabilities.
Create distribution from experiment
- Create distribution from theory: This problem describes a theoretical situation. The student is asked to fill the histogram with the appropriate probabilities.
Create distribution from theory
Strategies[]
This exercise is medium to get accuracy badges because the theory problems require knowledge of multiplication principles of probability. The speed badges are difficult because the current time tolerances are very tight considering the time it takes to find the probabilities, especially on the theory problems.
- All probabilities add up to 100%, so if you can figure out all but one of the probabilities, you can find the last by subtraction.
- A tree diagram is a great way to organize the information for the theory problems.
Real-life Applications[]
- Probability, along with decimals, percents, and fractions are used to determine the probability of a basketball player making a shot.