Texas Instruments Probability Simulation, TI-83 Plus User Manual

Probability Simulation

User’s Manual

Documentation of features and usage for Probability Simulation

Copyright  2000 Corey Taylor and Rusty Wagner

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Table of Contents

1. General Setup 3

2. Coin Section 4

3. Dice Section 5

4. Marbles Section 6

5. Spinner Section 7

6. Cards Section 7

7. Random Number Section 8

8. Advanced Options 9

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1. General Setup

1.1 Installation

Probability Simulation is a FLASH application for the TI-83 Plus
calculator and is not installed in the same way as a regular program. To
install this application, the file ProbSim.hex must be placed in the FLASH
(or Archive) memory of your calculator. This can be easily done with the
TI-Graph Link Software for the TI-83 Plus calculator. After the program
is open, make sure the correct PORT (Com 1/2/3/4) is selected under the
Link menu. Also, make sure the correct cable type is selected under the
Link menu. Once that is done, connect the cable to the calculator and turn
the calculator on. The final step is to go to the Link menu, select the Send
Applications option and use that screen to send to the calculator. If errors
occur, make sure the link is correctly in place and the COM port is the
right one. If all else fails, and you are using the Black link, take off the
extra connection that came with it and hook up the Calc-to-Calc cable.
This could help if the other cable is defective and will make the
connection longer. Once the application is correctly installed, you can
find the program by hitting the blue APPS button on the calculator.

TI provides documentation and help for the installation program through
the help menu or by contacting TI directly. The Texas Instruments web
site is http://www.ti.com/calc/.

1.2 Identifying Sections

When you open the application, there should be a vertical selection list of
6 trial mediums: Toss Coins, Roll Dice, Pick Marbles, Spin Spinner, Draw
Cards and Random Numbers. These are the types of trials that can be
performed. There is, however, a lot more that can be done with these
trials than simple simulation, there could be multiple objects and settings
along with these sections. The only non-sectional specific setting in the
application is the random number seed setting. This can be used in order
to make the trials statistically correct and the same on multiple calculators.
Going to the OPTN menu using the F3 key on the calculator can set this to
the desired number.

1.2.1 Toss Coins

This section is used for simulation of a two-sided probability but
these sides can be weighed. Up to 3 coins can be flipped at once
and the number of heads is counted for anything over 1 coin.

2.1.2 Roll Dice

This section is used for simulation of items that have multiple
outcomes for each piece. The type of dice includes 6,8,10,12 and
20 sided dice. Up to 3 dice can be rolled at once and the value
total is counted

2.1.3 Pick Marbles

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