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ERIC Number: EJ850649
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Jul
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1069-1898
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Pedigrees, Prizes, and Prisoners: The Misuse of Conditional Probability
Carlton, Matthew A.
Journal of Statistics Education, v13 n2 Jul 2005
We present and discuss three examples of misapplication of the notion of conditional probability. In each example, we present the problem along with a published and/or well-known incorrect--but seemingly plausible--solution. We then give a careful treatment of the correct solution, in large part to show how careful application of basic probability rules can help students to spot and avoid these mistakes. With each example, we also hope to illustrate the importance of having students draw a tree diagram and/or a sample space for probability problems not involving data (i.e., where a contingency table might not be obviously applicable). (Contains 11 figures.)
American Statistical Association. 732 North Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Tel: 703-684-1221; Tel: 888-231-3473; Fax: 703-684-2037; e-mail: asainfo@amstat.org; Web site: http://www.amstat.org/publications/jse
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A