Simulations

Learning about...

How

Why

What A simulation is a statistical experiment that uses tools to represent real events.Some events are too expensive to perform, take too long, or are lethal. It is safer, quicker and cheaper to perform a simulation to gather representative data that can be used to assess outcomes of the real event.

1. For the real event, identify all possible outcomes.2. If possible, identify the relative proportions of each outcome.3. Choose a randomised tool and assign outcomes to the tool outcomes in the correct proportion.4. Use the tool to generate event outcomes.5. Analyse the data as you would for a real experiment.6. Report the conclusions as for a simulation.

Examples include survival rates for aeroplane crashes, changes in elephant gestation periods, and rates of earthquakes in excess of 8 on the Richter Scale.

Some events are too expensive to perform, take too long, or are lethal. It is safer, quicker and cheaper to perform a simulation to gather representative data that can be used to assess outcomes of the real event.

Examples of Tools

Dice

Spinners

Random Number Generator function

ball tumble

r

thumb tacks