Exploring “What’s Typical?” Using Probability

Many statistical investigations revolve around the question, “What’s typical?”

Probability provides a way to measure how “typical” something is and provides a language for describing uncertainty. Sample space and event are “duals” of population and statistic. Formulas for combining random variables explain inference standard error formulas for differences.

Presenters will:

• Relate key concepts of probability to corresponding concepts in statistics
• Examine probability as a long-run measurement
• Illustrate how technology can be used to determine probabilities through direct calculation and through simulations
• Investigate calculation and interpretation of expected values
• Discuss measures for random variables formed by combining other random variables
• Relate each of these concepts to the AP* testing experience

Both TI-84 Plus and TI-Nspire™ technology are used.