Splash Screen

Main Idea and Vocabulary

Targeted TEKS

Example 1: Describe a Simulation

Example 2: Real-World Example

Example 3: Real-World Example

• simulation

• Perform probability simulations to model real-world situations involving uncertainty.

Describe a Simulation

SHOPPING A supermarket is issuing 1 of 6 different in-store discount coupons to each customer who enters the store. If the coupons are given out randomly, describe a model that could be used to simulate which coupons would be given to the first 100 customers.

Choose a method that has 6 possible outcomes, such as rolling a number cube. Let each outcome represent a different coupon.

Describe a Simulation

Answer: Roll a number cube to simulate the coupons that might be given to the first 100 customers. Repeat 100 times.

1 → coupon 1

2 → coupon 2

3 → coupon 3

4 → coupon 4

5 → coupon 5

6 → coupon 6

An electronics store is issuing 1 of 8 different in-store discount coupons to each customer who enters the store. If the coupons are given out randomly, describe a model that could be used to simulate which coupons would be given to the first 50 customers.

Sample answer: Choose a method that has 8 possible outcomes, such as flipping a coin 3 times. Let each outcome represent a different coupon.Toss a coin 3 times to simulate the coupons that might be given to the first 50 customers. Repeat 50 times.

HHH → coupon 1 TTT → coupon 5

HHT → coupon 2 TTH → coupon 6

HTH → coupon 3 THT → coupon 7

HTT → coupon 4 THH → coupon 8

ORCHESTRA The conductor of the school orchestra needs to choose 6 students at random to perform with the all-city band. If there are 36 students in the orchestra, describe a model that she could use to simulate choosing these 6 students.

There are 36 students in the orchestra, so select objects that combined have 36 outcomes, such as a number cube and a spinner with 6 spaces. Assign each student one of the possible outcomes.

6 numbers ● 6 letters = 36 outcomes

Answer: The conductor should roll the number cube and spin the spinner at least 6 times to choose the students for the band.

NATURE HIKE The director of a national park needs to choose 3 rangers at random to lead nature hikes this weekend. If there are 10 rangers working at the park this weekend, describe a model that he could use to simulate choosing these 3 rangers.

Answer: There are 10 rangers working this weekend, so select objects that combined have 10 outcomes, such as a coin and a spinner with 5 spaces. Assign each ranger one of the possible outcomes.

2 sides ● 5 letters = 10 outcomes

The park director should flip the coin and spin the spinner 3 times to choose the rangers for the nature hikes.

SOFTBALL During the regular season, Keisha had base hits 40% of her times at bat. Describe an experiment she could use to simulate her next 20 times at bat.

Answer: She could use a spinner with 5 sectors, 2 representing getting a base hit and 3 representing a failure to get a base hit. She would spin the spinner 20 times.

The probability that Keisha will get a hit is 40% or ,

and the probability that she will not get a hit is 60% or .

SALES During the holiday season, 75% of the customers who enter a retail store make a purchase. Describe an experiment a store manager could use to simulate the next 50 customers.

Sample answer:

The probability that a customer will make a purchase is

75% or and the probability that a customer will not

make a purchase is 25% or The store manager could

use a spinner with 4 sectors, 3 representing a customer making a purchase and 1 representing a customer not making a purchase. The manager would spin the spinner 50 times.