Thread: Probabilities listed are exact or approximate?

I got this problem that you have to do a probability distribution for random discrete variables. After you do it one of the questions I get is 'are the probabilities listed in the table of part a exact or approximate probabilities of the various outcomes? explain.' I want to know how I can tell whether or not they are exact or approximate. Thanks.

Hey crv93.

Do the values come from an empirical (sample) distribution or a population distribution?

I think it's a sample. The problem reads as follows " One of the most profitable items at A1's Auto Security Shop is the remote starting systems. Let x be the number of such systems installed at this shop. The following table lists the fequency distribution of x for the past 80 days." Hope this helps.

In that case, the answer in general is no since the sample is only an approximation of true population distribution in which the population distribution reflects a sample size that is infinite (theoretically that is).

Take a look at probability convergence results and associated ideas for the idea of this (also the strong law of large numbers).