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Excel Lab # 1 --- Probability

Pre-lab Probability can be explained as the likelihood something will happen. Theoretical Probability is what is expected, but is not gauranteed. Experimental probability is what actually happens after you conduct an experiment. Repeating experiments many times will bring the experimental probability more accurately close the theoretical probability.
To calculate Theoretical Probability, ----> use the following equation:

P=

(number of favorable outcomes) (number of total possible outcomes)

Using dice, we can model and test probability. List all of the possible outcomes when rolling a die (one dice): = How many possible outcomes are there total? = As an example, we can calculate the probability of rolling a die and rolling anything between 1-3:
Rolling 1-3:
Total

Favorable Outcomes: Total Outcomes:

or

3 6

Which reduces to:

1 2

In other words, the probability of rolling a die and rolling anything between 1-3 is one-half. Or, you can describe this as a percentage: 50%

1. Find the theoretical probability of the following situations: Rolling 1 die and 1) Rolling a 4: 2) Rolling an even number: 3) Rolling a 7: 4) Rolling any number between 1-6:

2. Now, lets say you roll a die 10 times. Using the table below, we can calculate Experimental Probability for different die rolls. Complete the blank probabilities for the die rolls: Die Rolls One Two Three Four Five Six P= ||| | || ||| | (Number of favorable outcomes) (Number of total outcomes) 3 10 1 10 P (3) = p (5) =

P (1) =

p (2) =

P (4) =

p (6) =

Excel Lab # 1

Algebra I : Semester I

Lab Assignment
Materials: 1 die ( or, to simulate dice rolls, visit: http://www.random.org/dice/ ) 1. Roll a die 20 times. Use the table to the right to keep track of how many times each number is rolled Trial 1: One Two Three Four Five Six 2. Repeat Step 1, rolling a die 20 times. Keep track of this second set of die rolls with the second table to the right Trial 2: One Two Three Four Five Six 3. Enter your data into Excel. Use the Table Formatting Guide to create three tables. One table for Trial 1, a second table for Trial 2, and a third table for both trials combined into one set . 4. Calculate the experimental probability that you found for each die roll (1-6) on each of your three tables. You can calculate the probabilites by hand. You can also have Excel quickly calculate answers for you by typing in equations. When typing in an equation into Excel, use the following format: Example 1. Click an empty cell. 2. Start by typing an equal sign 3. Like a calculator, type in the what you want excel to calculate for you. (Here,"=13/40" is "13 divided by 3. Instead of using numbers for your calculations, you can also select cells, and Excel will use whatever number is in this cell 4. Excel will calculate your answer for you: # Of Times Rolled # Of Times Rolled

Steps to calculate formulas in Excel

= =13/40 =A2/A3 0.325

5. Include these calculations for the probability of rolling each number in each of your 3 tables. PRINT YOUR TABLES AND TURN IN WITH THIS SHEET 6. Were the the experimental probabilites you found when rolling dice different in Trial 1 compared to Trial 2? 7. Compare the experimental probabilties from your three tables to the theoretical probability of rolling each number. Which table shows probabilities closest to what you would expect to happen based on theoretical probabilities?

8. How would expect the experimental probabilites of rolling a dice 1,000 times to compare to the predicted probabilites?

Excel Lab #1

Algebra 1 : Semester 1

Table Formatting Guide

These are all possible formats for creating tables in Excel. Your table can resemble any of these, or can be unique and different. However, be sure that your table has the following elements: 1. Clearly labeled categories 2. A clearly labeled title 3. Borders and/or shading used to make table easy to read 1 Experimental Results # Rolled Frequency Probability one two three four five six Total

2 Number Rolled Times Rolled Probability 3 Die Rolls Outcome One Two Three Four Five Six Total 4 Results of Die Rolling Number Rolled Times Rolled Probability one two three four five six Total # of times rolled P one two Results of Die Rolling three four five six Total

Excel Lab #1

Algebra I : Semester I