Chapter 5.1, Problem 9P

Critical Thinking: Simulation We can use the random-number table to simulate outcomes from a given discrete probability distribution. Jose plays basketball and has probability 0.7 of making a free-throw shot. Let x be the random variable that counts the number of successful shots out of 10 attempts. Consider the digits 0 through 9 of the random-number table. Since Jose has a 70% chance of making a shot, assign the digits 0 through 6 to “making a basket from the free throw line” and the digits 7 through 9 to “missing the shot.”

1. (a) Do 70% of the possible digits 0 through 9 represent “making a basket”?
2. (b) Start at line 2, column 1 of the random-number table. Going across the row, determine the results of 10 “trials.” How many free-throw shots are successful in this simulation?
3. (c) Your friend decides to assign the digits 0 through 2 to “missing the shot” and the digits 3 through 9 to “making the basket.” Is this assignment valid? Explain. Using this assignment, repeat part (b).