JSM 2004 - Toronto

Abstract #301287

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Activity Number: 345
Type: Contributed
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 : 12:00 PM to 1:50 PM
Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
Abstract - #301287
Title: An Introduction to R: Simulating Birthday Matches in the Nonuniform Case
Author(s): Clayton W. Schupp*+ and Bruce E. Trumbo and Eric A. Suess
Companies: California State University, Hayward and California State University, Hayward and California State University, Hayward
Address: Statistics Department, Hayward, CA, 94542,
Keywords: birthday matching problem ; nonuniform birthday distribution ; probability modeling ; teaching R in the classroom
Abstract:

Appropriate simulations can enliven a beginning probability course by focusing on model building, exploring generalizations that would lead to analytically intractable results, and teaching computer skills that are valuable in the job market. Here we use R to simulate the probability of birthday matches in a room of n people. The first simulation model assumes a uniform distribution of birthdays throughout the year, giving results that agree with a standard elementary formula. A very similar second simulation model drops the uniformity assumption, giving results that are analytically beyond the level of undergraduate probability. Data for the actual distribution of U.S. birthdays in 1997-99 provide a basis for the second model. An entry-level exposition of the required functions in R is provided.

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