Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo
Contemporary Mathematics

Projects

Contemporary MathematicsProjects

Projects

  1. The Binomial Distribution is one of many examples of a discrete probability distribution. Other examples include the Geometric, Hypergeometric, Multinomial, Poisson, and Negative Binomial Distributions. Choose one of these distributions, and find out what makes it different from the Binomial Distribution. In what situations can it be applied? How is it used? Once you have an idea of how it’s used, write a series of five questions like the ones in this chapter that can be answered with that distribution, and find the answers.
  2. Binomial is a word that also comes up in algebra; the word describes polynomials with two terms. At first glance, there isn’t much to indicate that these two uses of the word are related, but it turns out there is a connection. Explore the connection between the Binomial Distribution and the algebraic concept of binomial expansion, (the process of multiplying out expressions like (x+y)n(x+y)n for a positive whole number nn). Search for a connection with the mathematical object known as Pascal’s Triangle.
  3. Hazard is a dice game that was mentioned in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. It was a popular game of chance played in taverns and coffee houses well into the 18th century; its popularity at the time of the foundation of probability theory means that it was a common example in early texts on finding expected values and probabilities. Find the rules of the game, and get some practice playing it. Then, analyze the choices that the caster gets to make, and decide which is most advantageous, using the language of expected values.
PreviousNext
Order a print copy

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/contemporary-mathematics/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/contemporary-mathematics/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Dec 21, 2023 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.