Experimental Probability
Experimental Probability is a Grade 8 math skill in Saxon Math Course 3, Chapter 6, where students calculate probability based on actual experiment results rather than theoretical calculations. Students compare experimental and theoretical probability and understand how increasing trials brings experimental results closer to the theoretical value.
Key Concepts
New Concept Experimental probability is determined by data from an experiment. It is the ratio of the number of times an event occurs to the number of trials.
$$ \text{experimental probability} = \frac{\text{number of times an event occurs}}{\text{number of trials}} $$ What’s next You’re just getting started. Next, we’ll use this formula in worked examples and learn how to simulate experiments to find probabilities on your own.
Common Questions
What is experimental probability?
Experimental probability is the likelihood of an event based on actual experiment results. It equals the number of times the event occurred divided by the total number of trials.
How is experimental probability different from theoretical probability?
Theoretical probability is calculated mathematically from equally likely outcomes. Experimental probability is based on what actually happened in trials and may differ, especially with few trials.
How do you calculate experimental probability?
Divide the number of times the desired outcome occurred by the total number of trials. For example, if a coin lands heads 47 times in 100 flips, the experimental probability is 47 over 100.
Why does experimental probability approach theoretical probability with more trials?
As the number of trials increases, random variation averages out and experimental results tend toward the expected theoretical probability.
Where is experimental probability taught in Grade 8?
Experimental probability is covered in Saxon Math Course 3, Chapter 6: Number and Operations and Data Analysis and Probability.