Name__________________________________

Theoretical vs Experimental Probability

Investigating theoretical vs experimental probabilities of die, coins, and
a spinner.

1. Find the theoretical probability of rolling each number

2. Roll the die 50 times, tally your findings
3. Find the experimental probability of rolling each number
4. Find the percent and decimal of the experiment

Use link below if you do not have a die:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Roll%20a%20die&Pw=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOOwfcRoxC3w8sc9YSnNSWtOXmNU5uI
LyM-pzEhNKUrMcclMThUS5OLMK82NL85MSS0WYpFiEmDjAQAnwJaNNwAAAA

Die:

Die Theoretical Experimental Experimental Experimental

Probability: Tallies Probability Probability Probability
Fraction, Findings Findings Findings
Decimal, (fraction) (percent) (decimal)
Percent
11111111111111 7/25 28% 0.28
1 1
P(1) =6
16.7%
0.167

p(2)= 1/6 2/25

2 1111 8% 0.08
16.7%
0.167

p(3)= 1/6 111111 3/25 12% 0.12

3
16.7%
0.167
p(4)=1/6 11111111 4/25 16% 0.16
4
16.7%
0.167

p(5) 111111111111 0.24

5 6/25 24%
16.7%
0.167

p(6) 5/25 20% 0.2

6 1111111111
16.7%
0.167
1. Compare the theoretical probability to the experimental probability. What conclusions can you make from both
pieces of information? Are you surprised or is this what you expected?
Theoretical vs Experimental Probability

1. Find the theoretical probability of flipping a coin

2. Flip the coin 50 times, tally your findings
3. Find the experimental probability of rolling each number
4. Find the percent and decimal of the experiment

Use the link below if you do not have a coin

https://www.google.com/search?q=Flip%20a%20coin&Pw=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOOwfcQoyS3w8sc9YSmBSWtOXmPk4uJwzs
_Mc8vJLOABAAUfYkMeAAAA

Coin:

Coin Theoretical Experimental Experimental Experimental

Probability: Tallies Probability Probability Probability
Fraction, Findings Findings Findings
Decimal, (fraction) (percent) (decimal)
Percent

1 11111111111111111111111 11/25 44%

Heads P(heads) = 2 0.44
50%
0.5
p(tails)=1/2 1111111111111111111111111111 14/25 56%
Tails 0.56
50%
0.5

1. Compare the theoretical probability to the experimental probability. What conclusions can you make from both
pieces of information? Are you surprised or is this what you expected?

Theoretical vs Experimental Probability

1. Find the theoretical probability of spinning each number

2. Spin 50 times, tally your findings
3. Find the experimental probability of spinning each number
4. Find the percent and decimal of the experiment

Use the link below for the spinner

Wheel: https://www.google.com/search?safe=strict&source=hp&ei=TrF8Xs3OIoGgsQXWlJ-
oDg&q=spinner&oq=spinner&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0j0i131j0l8.789.1686..1929...1.0..0.121.635.5j2......0....1..gws-
wiz.TQaBfe3w30s&ved=0ahUKEwjNrfTDorjoAhUBUKwKHVbKB-UQ4dUDCAg&uact=5

Die Theoretical Experimental Experimental Experimental

Probability: Tallies Probability Probability Probability
Fraction, Findings Findings Findings
Decimal, (fraction) (percent) (decimal)
Percent

p(1) = 1/8 3/50 6% 0.06

1 111
12.5%
0.125
11111111 4/25
p(2) = 1/8 16% 0.16
2
12.5%
0.125
p(3) = 1/8 1111111 7/50
3 14% 0.14
12.5%
0.125

p(4) = 1/8 1111 2/25 0.08

4 8%
12.5%
0.125

p(5) = 1/8 1111 8% 0.08

5 2/25
12.5%
0.125

p(6) = 1/8 111111111111 6/25 24% 0.24

6
12.5%
0.125
p(7) = 1/8 11111 5/50 10% 0.1
7 12.5%
0.125 1/10

p(8) = 1/8
1111111 7/50 14%
8 12.5% 0.14
0.125

1. Compare the theoretical probability to the experimental probability. What conclusions can you make from both
pieces of information? Are you surprised or is this what you expected?