Random Error Theory
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Presentation Transcript
Introduction • From now on, we will assume that systematic errors have been eliminated • This leaves random errors and possible blunders • Random errors conform to the laws of probability
Probability • Defined as the ratio of the number of times an event should occur to the total number of possibilities • For example, tossing a “2” with a fair die will have a probability of 1/6 • When an event can occur in m ways and fail to occur in n ways …
Probability - continued • Probability ranges from 0 to 1 • Sum of all probabilities for an event must be one • Compound events are two independent events that occur simultaneously • Their probability is the product of the independent probabilities of the events • The probability of tossing two 2’s in a row is (1/6)x(1/6) = 1/36
What is probability that 2 red balls will be drawn when one ball is randomly selected from each box? Box 1: 1W, 2R, 3W, 4W; Box 2: 1R, 2R, 3W, 4W, 5W TR BOX 1 BOX 2 1 1 WHITE1 1 RED1 2 1 RED2 1 RED1 3 1 WHITE3 1 RED1 4 1 WHITE4 1 RED1 5 1 WHITE1 1 RED2 6 1 RED2 1 RED2 7 1 WHITE3 1 RED2 8 1 WHITE4 1 RED2 9 1 WHITE1 1 WHITE3 10 1 RED2 1 WHITE3 P( 2 REDS ) = 2/20 = 1/10 = 1/4 × 2/5 = 2 /20 = 1/10 TR BOX 1 BOX 2 11 1 WHITE3 1 WHITE3 12 1 WHITE4 1 WHITE3 13 1 WHITE1 1 WHITE4 14 1 RED2 1 WHITE4 15 1 WHITE3 1 WHITE4 16 1 WHITE4 1 WHITE4 17 1 WHITE1 1 WHITE5 18 1 RED2 1 WHITE5 19 1 WHITE3 1 WHITE5 20 1 WHITE4 1 WHITE5
The following 5 cards are showing from a standard deck of cards. What is the probability that one or both of the next two cards are clubs (complete the flush)? Ace of clubs, 6 of clubs, 5 of spades, 10 of clubs, Jack of clubs Winning possibilities: Card 1 – club, card 2 – not club Card 1 – not club, card 2 club Card 1 – club, card 2 club Total = 0.3497
Normal Distribution • As n approaches infinity, the histograms will approach the normal distribution (AKA bell) curve
Properties of the Normal Distribution • Area under the curve from -∞ to +∞ = 1 • Slope = 0 at x • Inflection points at ±σ from x
Standard Normal Distribution Function For a mean of zero (μ=0) and standard deviation of one (σ=1) See NORMDIST and NORMSINV spreadsheet functions or STATS program.
Various Errors Standard Error (±σ) = 68.3% E50 = 0.6745 σ E95 = 1.960 σ (look at STATS and Excel functions)
Example 3.2 50 seconds-readings are given. Find mean, standard deviation, and E95.