Resource Library

It is now proved beyond doubt that smoking is one of the leading causes of statistics. Quote found in "Reader's Digest" (December, 1961) by journalist Fletcher Knebel (1911-1993)

Joke from "The Little Black Book of Business Statistics", by Michael C. Thomsett (1990, Amacom) p. 117. also quoted in "Statistically Speaking" compiled by Carl Gaither and Alma Cavazos-Gaither.

During this simulation activity, students generate sampling distributions of the sample mean for n = 5 and n = 50 with Fathom 2 and use these distributions to confirm the Central Limit Theorem. Students sample from a large population of randomly selected pennies. Given that the variable of interest is the age of the pennies, which has a geometric distribution, this is a particularly convincing demonstration of the Central Limit Theorem in action. This activity includes detailed instructions on how to use Fathom to generate sampling distributions. The author will provide the Fathom data file upon request.

This lesson is based on Lawrence Lesser's article that describes the set-up of the spreadsheet simulation and Cindia Stewart's lesson that seeks to answer the Birthday Problem using three different methods. Probability topics include: Sample Size, Law of Large Numbers, Complementary Probabilities, Independence of Events

This probability activity discusses the differences among various kinds of studies and which types of inferences can legitimately be drawn from each, as well as how sample statistics reflect the values of population parameters and use sampling distributions as the basis for informal inference. The procedure and assessment are provided.

This activity discusses probability topics, such as: sample space, independent events, Law of Large Numbers, deviation percentage. A Excel program is required for this activity, which can be reached via the website.

This activity uses a computer program to explore probability concepts such as sample space, independent events, law of large numbers, and reliability. An outline of the activity and the computer program are provided.

This activity uses Microsoft Excel for a simulation of probability concepts. The Excel file and handouts are provided. Students will explore the concept of independent events, sample spaces, equally likely probabilities, and percentages within the context of this simulation.

This activity uses Microsoft Excel and a deck of playing cards to gain experience with probability concepts. Students will discuss independent events, sample spaces, equally likely probabilities, probability of the intersection of two independent events, probability of the union of two events, percentages, and complements of given events within the context of these simulations. The Excel file and handouts are provided.

Through this activity students will gain an understanding of the effect of the sample size on experiments and simulations. A Microsoft Excel program file and handouts are provided.