Objectives

In this activity, you will describe the distribution of a statistic by observing its average value and variability between samples. Compare to the distribution of the variable in the population.

Assignment

Arrange yourselves into groups of 3 or 4. on the following activity. Write your answers in your own notes and add your data to the histogram at the front of the class.

Background

A standard deck of 52 playing cards consists of four copies each of the numbers 2 through 10, along with Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces. In many games, it is important to track the point value of a hand of cards. Face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are usually treated as 10 points, while Aces are treated as 1 point. Number cards (2 - 10) are treated as the number shown.

Below is a distribution of the point values for standard deck of cards:

Activity

Each person should do the following:

  1. Thoroughly shuffle one of your group’s deck of cards.
  2. Draw 10 cards from the deck (without replacement) to form a sample.
  3. Compute the mean value of your cards (counting Aces as 1 and Faces as 10)
  4. Write the value of the mean on a sticky note and add it to the appropriate interval on the front chalkboard.
  5. Repeat steps 1 - 4 an additional four times. After you’ve used physical cards at least once, you may complete remaining shuffles using the random card shuffler at https://www.random.org/playing-cards/

Discussion

As a group, answer the following questions: