Probability simulations

							Probability Simulations
The word simulate means to imitate or model. A probability
simulation is the use of some method to model or represent a
real experiment or situation.

Simulations can involve:
•Calculators and computers to generate random numbers
•Dice, coins, spinners, coloured counters etc
•Random number tables
Example 1
For families of 5 children, what is the probability that the girls
outnumber the boys. Devise a simulation of this situation and use
it to determine the probability is more than, less than, or equal to
0.5.


Solution:
•Tossing a coin: head = boy, tail = girl

•Rolling a die: 1 – 3 = boy, 4 – 6 = girl

•Random numbers using calculator: 0 – 4 = boy, 5 – 9 = girl

•Deck of cards: red = boy, black = girl
                             Type of Bet       Probability   Payout
                                                             from $1
                         Straight up (single     1 in 37      $36
                         number)
                         Red/Black              18 in 37       $2
                         Low (1 – 18)           18 in 37       $2
                         manque
                         High (19 – 36)
                         passe
                         Odds(impair)/Even      18 in 37       $2
                         s (pair)
                         Dozens (1 – 12, 13     12 in 37       $3
                         – 24, 25 – 36)_
                         Column                 12 in 37       $3
Why is a zero added to   Row                     3 in 37      $12
the wheel?
                         Split (2 numbers)       2 in 37      $18
                         Corner (block of 4)     4 in 37       49
                         Six line (2 rows)       6 in 37       $6