Question

Of the three approaches to probability (classical/theoretical, relative frequency approx./historical, or subjective), identify which is most relevant to the given statements:

a. "The probability of a randomly selected car crashing during a year is 0.0423 (based on data from the Statistical Abstract of the United States)." Which approach to probability is most relevant to this statement?

b. "The chance of flipping a coin and getting heads is one in two." Which approach to probability is most relevant to this statement?

c. "The likelihood of thunderstorms tomorrow is thirty percent." Which approach to probability is most relevant to this statement?

d. "The probability of randomly arranging five distinct letters in alphabetical order is 1/120." Which approach to probability is most relevant to this statement?

e. "You have a snowball's chance in hell of marrying my daughter." Which approach to probability is most relevant to this statement?

Answer 1

The most relevant approach to probability depends on the nature of the statement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The given statements can be categorized into the three approaches to probability as follows:

a. The statement about the probability of a car crashing is based on data from the Statistical Abstract of the United States, making it a relative frequency approximation or historical approach.

b. The statement about flipping a coin and getting heads has a one in two chance, which is a classical or theoretical approach.

c. The statement about the likelihood of thunderstorms is based on subjective judgment, making it a subjective approach.

d. The statement about randomly arranging letters in alphabetical order has a probability of 1/120, which is a classical or theoretical approach.

e. The statement about having a snowball's chance in hell is a subjective expression and does not fall under any of the three approaches to probability.