Binomial Distribution

Synopsis: An activity which involves asking students to define a binary categorical variable and using the variable to investigate where the binomial formula comes from.  Students should form groups of 3 to 4 students to complete this activity.
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Type of activity: In-class, small-group

Statistical topics: binomial distribution

Time needed: 15 minutes

Materials needed:

Procedure:
  1. Ask students to break up into groups of size 3 or 4.
  2. Give one activity form to each student.
  3. Ask the students to select a binary categorical variable which could be "measured" on people and have them arbitrarily assign two letters to represent the two possible traits.
  4. Next tell them that suppose three random people were to be selected and have the students list the eight possible outcomes that could occur.
  5. Then have the students arbitrarily select one of the variables and list how many times that variable occurs in each of the eight outcomes from the previous step.
  6. Ask the students to answer the remaining questions on the activity form to gain a better understanding of binomial distributions.
Comments from others who have tried activity:  None.

Supplementary materials:  Activity Form: HTML Version
 

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This activity was submitted by Laura J. Simon: lsimon@stat.psu.edu