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6. Identifying binomial experiments

For each of the following examples, decide whether the example represents a binomial experiment.

A random sample of 120 individuals is selected from a large group with ages ranging from 18 to 87 years. Each person is exposed to the same loud noise,
and the person’s reaction time is measured.

This example  is not     a binomial experiment.

Points: 1/1

Explanation: Close Explanation

In this experiment, each person’s exposure to the noise is a trial, so there is a fixed number of 120 trials. Because the selection of people is random
and from a large population, the outcome of each trial is independent. But each trial can have more than two outcomes (reaction time can be any

positive number), and because the ages of the subjects vary, it is unlikely that the probability of each outcome is the same from trial to trial.
Because not all four criteria are met, this is not a binomial experiment.

You roll a fair, six-sided die five times. After each roll, you record Yes if you rolled a 4 and No otherwise.

This example  is     a binomial experiment.

Points: 1/1

Explanation: Close Explanation

In this example, each roll of the die constitutes an independent trial, each with only two possible outcomes (either a 4 appears, or it doesn’t). There

is a fixed number of n = 5 trials, and because it is a fair die, each trial has the same probability of success (1/6). Because all four criteria are met,
this is a binomial experiment.

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A game is played where a contestant is asked to reach into a well-shaken bag containing an equal number of red, yellow, and green marbles. Each time he
selects a marble, he notes its color and places the marble back in the bag. The bag is then shaken well, and he selects again. After 15 selections, the total
number of times each color was selected is recorded. The contestant is awarded points based on the number of times each color is selected in those 15
selections.

This example  is not     a binomial experiment.

Points: 1/1

Explanation: Close Explanation

In this example, each of the contestant’s marble selections is a trial; there is a fixed number of trials (the contestant reaches into the bag 15
times); and since the marbles are replaced and the bag is shaken before each trial, the trials are independent. Since there is an equal number of
each colored marble in the bag, the probability of each possible outcome is the same from trial to trial (1/3). However, because the outcome of each
trial is one of three different colors, there are more than two possible outcomes for each trial. Because not all four criteria are met, this is not a

binomial experiment.

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