Math  /  Data & Statistics

QuestionWhich of the following best describes the type of probability used in the scenario below?
A bag has 6 red marbles, 8 blue marbles, and 4 yellow marbles. The probability of drawing a blue at random is 49\frac{4}{9}. A. Unpredictable B. Random C. Theoretical D. Empirical

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We're figuring out if the probability given is based on theory or experiments! Watch out! Don't mix up theoretical and empirical probability; theoretical is what *should* happen, empirical is what *did* happen.

STEP 2

1. Analyze the given probability
2. Compare probability types

STEP 3

Alright, let's kick things off by finding the total number of marbles in the bag.
We've got 66 red marbles, 88 blue marbles, and 44 yellow marbles.
So, the **total** is 6+8+4=186 + 8 + 4 = 18 marbles.
Woohoo!

STEP 4

Now, let's see what the *theoretical* probability of grabbing a blue marble is.
We've got 88 blue marbles out of a total of 1818 marbles.
So, the probability is 818\frac{8}{18}.
Let's simplify that fraction by dividing both the **numerator** and **denominator** by their **greatest common divisor**, which is 22.
This gives us 818=8÷218÷2=49\frac{8}{18} = \frac{8 \div 2}{18 \div 2} = \frac{4}{9}.
Boom!

STEP 5

Theoretical probability is all about what we *expect* to happen based on pure math, like calculating the odds of rolling a certain number on a die.
It's based on the possible outcomes and how likely each one is.

STEP 6

Empirical probability, on the other hand, is based on what *actually* happens when we do an experiment a bunch of times.
Like, if we flip a coin 100 times and get heads 55 times, the empirical probability of getting heads is 55100\frac{55}{100}.
It's all about real-world results!

STEP 7

The problem tells us the probability of drawing a blue marble is 49\frac{4}{9}.
We calculated the *theoretical* probability of drawing a blue marble to *also* be 49\frac{4}{9}.
They match!
This means the given probability is based on theory, not experiments.

STEP 8

The probability used in the scenario is **theoretical**, so the answer is C.

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