Question

A train is early 1/6 of the time, on time 1/2 of the time, and late 1/3 of the time. Doreen wants to know the probability that the train will be late two times in a row. Explain how two 1-6 number cubes can be used to simulate this situation.

Answer 1

Explanation:

1/2 = 3/6 (on time)

1/3 = 2/6 (late)

1/6 = 1/6 (early)

3 times 2 is 6. You need the same denominators. What you do to the bottom you do to the top. So, 3x2=6 and 1x2=2. Therefore, you have 2/6. The 2 cubes can be used to show the probability of the train being late because we now know it is late 2/6 times and either early or on time 4/6 times.