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1
Naman Pujari
Due March 20th
ENGL 21007 - Bubrow
The method, when carried out, provided interesting results. It was noticeable by simple observation, that a
normal distribution did occur. The sum of 7 had the highest probability while both sums of 2 and 12, the
extremes of the data set experienced little to no occurrence. See appendix for data from all 100 trials.
Plotting the data in the table above provides us with a graph (as seen in Figure 2) that displays the normal
distribution visually.
DISUSSION
2
Naman Pujari
Due March 20th
ENGL 21007 - Bubrow
Figure 2 provides more insight into the situation than Table 1 as it includes a visual factor. Although
obvious at first that there are hints of Gaussian Distribution, there are a few anomalies. A good example
of this would be the frequency of occurrence for sums of 5, as its frequency drop unnaturally (per the
principles of Normal Distribution, of course). This however, is not a worrying signal, as the amount of
trials conducted (100) were very less to ensure an accurate depiction of the situation. Had there been more
trials and data, there would certainly be a more properly curved Gaussian distribution. It is important to
note, for this reason, that the principles of probability are only seen well in data when a high amount
of trials are taken. One major success, as observed from the graph, is the fact that sums of 7 experienced
the highest frequency of occurrence. This conforms to both the laws of probability, and the Normal
Distribution theorem as explained in the introduction.
Taking the standard deviation of the data (seen in the
appendix) can provide for more in-depth
understanding. For perfect distributions, 68% of all data
lies within one standard deviation of the mean (the mean in this case
being 7). Figure 3 provides better insight.
The value of standard deviation is 2.83, which can be rounded off to 3 as all the numbers in
the data set of sums are whole numbers. Note: calculation for the standard deviation
can be found in the appendix. Hence, setting the limits defined by m-d and m+d (m
being 7) provides us with an interval ranging from 4 to 10. Referring to Table
1., and adding the percentage frequencies for each sum in the established
interval provides a value of 72%.
This finding strengthens the evidence for Gaussian
distribution, as 72% is quite close to the ideal value of 68%,
given the relatively rudimentary conditions of the experiment.
CONCLUSION
The report confirmed many theorems regarding Gaussian Distribution. What was first established was the
fact that the mean of all the sums (7) experienced the highest percent frequency. It was also proven that
the data set shared a common feature with standard Normal Distribution in that 72% (a value very close
to the ideal value of 68%) of all the sums of the two dice fell within the range of 4 to 10 inclusive, which
were within an interval of one standard deviation away from the mean. The findings of the report are very
close to that of the referenced study, in which the two authors, Lukac and Engel, proved that the Gaussian
Distribution was prevalent in the throwing and summing of three dice. A good deduction, using basic
knowledge of probability and by referencing the two studies (this and the one by Lukac and Engel) is that
Normal Distribution applies to any number n dice when their sum in each trial is recorded for a
considerable amount of trials.
REFERENCES
Lukac, S., & Engel, R. (2010). Investigation of Probability Distributions Using Dice Rolling Simulation.
Australian Mathematics Teacher, 66(2), 30-35.
APPENDIX
3
Naman Pujari
Due March 20th
ENGL 21007 - Bubrow
4
Naman Pujari
Due March 20th
ENGL 21007 - Bubrow
Calculation of Standard Deviation for Data Set
No formula was used to calculate this value. This entire process was reduced significantly by simply
using the =STDEV.P function available on Microsoft Excel. The function took in two parameters, the
starting point for the range of data, and the ending point. Once inputted, it provided the number 2.83
which was rounded to 3.