Theoretical vs Experimental Probability Practice Quiz: High School Level

📚 Topic Summary

Theoretical probability is what we expect to happen in an ideal situation. It's calculated as:

$P(event) = \frac{Number\ of\ favorable\ outcomes}{Total\ number\ of\ possible\ outcomes}$

Experimental probability, on the other hand, is what actually happens when we conduct an experiment. It's calculated as:

$P(event) = \frac{Number\ of\ times\ the\ event\ occurs}{Total\ number\ of\ trials}$

Let's test your knowledge!

🧠 Part A: Vocabulary

Match the terms with their definitions:

1. Term: Trial
2. Term: Outcome
3. Term: Event
4. Term: Theoretical Probability
5. Term: Experimental Probability

1. Definition: The set of all possible results of an experiment.
2. Definition: The probability based on what actually occurs during repeated trials of an experiment.
3. Definition: A single repetition of an experiment.
4. Definition: A specific result of an experiment.
5. Definition: The probability based on reasoning and calculation.

✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following paragraph using the words: theoretical, experimental, trials, probability, event.

__________ is the measure of how likely an __________ is to occur. __________ probability is calculated based on what we expect to happen, while __________ probability is determined by the results of actual __________.

🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking

Explain a situation where the experimental probability might be different from the theoretical probability. Why does this difference occur?