Math Self Help Tutor: EXPERIMENTAL PROBABILITY
Pennsylvania State Standard: Data Analysis and Probability
Experimental probability: A statement of probability based on the results of a series of trials. E.G. You roll a six sided die 10 times and recorded that a 3 came up three times; a 1 came up two times; a 5 came up four times; and a 6 came up one time
Experimental Probability: P (event) = number of times event occurs total number of trials
EXAMPLE PROBLEM: You have a bag of marbles. The bag contains 4 green marbles, 8 orange marbles, and 5 purple marbles. Pick a marble out of the bag, record the color that you picked, and then replace the marble. Do this 10 times and the find the probability that you pulled out a purple marble. Since you are performing the experiment and recording your answers to find the probability, you are finding experimental probability.
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob You pick out an orang marble the first time. So you put a check or an “x” to show the result. x First, make a chart to record the results for your experiment
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob For trial 2, you pick an orange marble again. Record your answer! x x
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob You pick a purple marble for trial 3. Record your answer! x x x
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob You pick a green marble for trial 4. Record your answer! x x x x
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob You pick a green marble for trial 5. Record your answer! x x x x x
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob You pick a purple marble for trial 6. Record your answer! x x x x x x
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob You pick an orange marble for trial 7. Record your answer! x x x x x x x
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob You pick a purple marble for trial 8. Record your answer! x x x x x x x x
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob You pick an orange marble for trial 9. Record your answer! x x x x x x x x x
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob You pick a green marble for trial 10. Record your answer! x x x x x x x x x x
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob Now find the total for each color by counting the marks in each column. x x x x x x x x x x 343
TrialGreenOrangePurple TOTAL Exp. Prob What is the probability that you pulled a purple? x x x x x x x x x x 343 total number of trials # of times event occurred