Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page
Statistics

4.8 Discrete Distribution (Lucky Dice Experiment)

Statistics4.8 Discrete Distribution (Lucky Dice Experiment)

4.8 Discrete Distribution (Lucky Dice Experiment)

Stats Lab

Discrete Distribution (Lucky Dice Experiment)

Student Learning Outcomes
  • The student will compare empirical data and a theoretical distribution to determine if a Tet gambling game fits a discrete distribution.
  • The student will demonstrate an understanding of long-term probabilities.
Supplies
  • One “Lucky Dice” game or three regular dice
  • One programming calculator

Procedure
Round answers to relative frequency and probability problems to four decimal places.

  1. The experimental procedure is to bet on one object. Then, roll three Lucky Dice and count the number of matches. The number of matches will decide your profit.
  2. What is the theoretical probability of one die matching the object?
  3. Choose one object to place a bet on. Roll the three Lucky Dice. Count the number of matches.
  4. Let X = number of matches. Theoretically, X ~ B(______,______)
  5. Let Y = profit per game.

Organize the DataIn Table 4.18, fill in the y-value that corresponds to each x-value. Next, record the number of matches picked for your class. Then, calculate the relative frequency.

  1. Complete the table.
    x y Frequency Relative Frequency
    0
    1
    2
    3
    Table 4.18
  2. Calculate the following:
    1. x ¯ x ¯ = _______
    2. sx = ________
    3. y ¯ y ¯ = _______
    4. sy = _______
  3. Explain what x ¯ x ¯ represents.
  4. Explain what y ¯ y ¯ represents.
  5. Based upon the experiment, answer the following questions:
    1. What was the average profit per game?
    2. Did this represent an average win or loss per game?
    3. How do you know? Answer in complete sentences.
  6. Construct a histogram of the empirical data.
    Figure 4.8

Theoretical DistributionBuild the theoretical PDF chart for x and y based on the distribution from the Procedure section.

  1. x y P(x) = P(y)
    0
    1
    2
    3
    Table 4.19
  2. Calculate the following:
    1. μx = ________
    2. σx = ________
    3. μx = ________
  3. Explain what μx represents.
  4. Explain what μy represents.
  5. Based upon theory, answer the following questions:
    1. What was the expected profit per game?
    2. Did the expected profit represent an average win or loss per game?
    3. How do you know? Answer in complete sentences.
  6. Construct a histogram of the theoretical distribution.
    Figure 4.9

Use the Data

Note

RF = relative frequency

Use the data from the Theoretical Distribution section to calculate the following answers. Round your answers to four decimal places.

  1. P(x = 3) = ________
  2. P(0 < x < 3) = ________
  3. P(x ≥ 2) = ________

Use the data from the Organize the Data section to calculate the following answers. Round your answers to four decimal places.

  1. RF(x = 3) = ________
  2. RF(0 < x < 3) = ________
  3. RF(x ≥ 2) = ________

Discussion QuestionFor Questions 1 and 2, consider the graphs, the probabilities, the relative frequencies, the means, and the standard deviations.

  1. Knowing that data vary, describe three similarities between the graphs and distributions of the theoretical and empirical distributions. Use complete sentences.
  2. Describe the three most significant differences between the graphs or distributions of the theoretical and empirical distributions.
  3. Thinking about your answers to Questions 1 and 2, does it appear that the data fit the theoretical distribution? In complete sentences, explain why or why not.
  4. Suppose that the experiment had been repeated 500 times. Would you expect Table 4.18 or Table 4.19 to change, and how would it change? Why? Why wouldn’t the other table change?
Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • 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 prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute Texas Education Agency (TEA), and must distribute any derivative works under the same license. The original material is available at: https://www.texasgateway.org/book/tea-statistics . Changes were made to the original material, including updates to art, structure, and other content updates.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/statistics/pages/1-introduction

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/statistics/pages/1-introduction

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Apr 23, 2026 Texas Education Agency (TEA). The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.