Introduction

The understanding and manipulation of data allows decision making to be based on

outcomes and even predictions. Statistical calculations can be theory-based.
Calculations can also be established through manipulation of data collection or
experimentation. To better understand the advantages and limitations of both
processes of probability, statisticians must have understanding and experience
working with both theory and experimental data.

Equipment
Coin
Dice or digital dice
Calculator

Procedure
What is the probability that the illustrated board game spinner will land on blue?
What is the probability of a flipped coin landing on heads?

What is the probability of a flipped coin landing on heads 4 times out of 6 trials?




Activity 4.1 Data Exploration
Define the Experiment
Define the Sample Space
Define the Event
Solve for Probability
2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1 Data Exploration Page 1

Calculate the probability of a flipped coin landing on heads through experimentation.
e. Toss a fair coin 10 times and record your data below.
g.
f. Calculate the relative frequency of the coin landing on heads after 10
trials.
g.
h. Toss a fair coin 50 times and record your data below.
Toss Heads Tails
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total
Toss Heads Tails
1
2
3
4
5
6
2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1 Data Exploration Page 2
5
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1 Data Exploration Page 3
j.
k. Calculate the relative frequency of the coin landing on heads after 50
trials.
l.
m. Collect the relative frequency data from your entire class and determine
the relative frequency of the coin landing on heads.
n.
o.
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Total
2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1 Data Exploration Page 4
25
25
p.
q. Describe the relationship between the relative frequency of the coin
landing on heads and the probability of a single coin landing on heads.
Does sample size affect this relationship?
r.
s.
t.
u.
v.
Create a histogram representing the summation possibilities of rolling two dice
simultaneously (Note: rolling a 2 and a 3 is not the same as rolling a 3 and a 2).

Sum Event Frequency
2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1 Data Exploration Page 5
12
2+1 1+2
2

11
1+1
8
10
5
7
9
4
6
2+2 3+1 1+3 2+2
3


What is the probability of rolling a 7?

What is the probability of rolling a 12?

What is the probability of not rolling a 9?

Simultaneously roll two dice 50 times and record your data below.
Die #1 Die #2
Trial 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 Total
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1 Data Exploration Page 6
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1 Data Exploration Page 7
k. What is the relative frequency of rolling a summation of 7?
l.
m. What is the relative frequency of rolling a summation of 12?
n.
o. What is the relative frequency of rolling a 6 on a single die?
p.
q. What is the relative frequency of rolling a summation of 6?
r.
s. Were your dice loaded? Justify your answer.
t.
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Total
2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1 Data Exploration Page 8
Conclusion

One coin is flipped four times. What is the probability of flipping two heads and two
tails?



A set of two die are rolled twice. What is the probability of rolling snake eyes on both
rolls?




A sunglasses manufacturer receives frames from three manufacturing companies. What
is the probability that a defective frame was manufactured by company three?

Factory Percent of Production Probability of Defect
1 62% .020
2 30% .013
3 8% .027
2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1 Data Exploration Page 9