Introduction to Probability · Problem 9.3.6

Generating Functions — Grinstead & Snell

Mathematics — Probability · central-limit-theorem-continuous

Problem

In general, the Central Limit Theorem gives a better estimate than Chebyshev's inequality for the average of a sum. To see this, let A25A_{25} be the average calculated in Exercise 5, and let NN be the normal approximation for A25A_{25}. Modify your program in Exercise 5 to provide a table of the function F(x)=P(∣A25−10∣≥x)=F(x) = P(|A_{25} - 10| \geq x) = fraction of the total of 1000 trials for which ∣A25−10∣≥x|A_{25} - 10| \geq x. Do the same for the function f(x)=P(∣N−10∣≥x)f(x) = P(|N - 10| \geq x). (You can use the normal table, Table 9.4, or the procedure NormalArea for this.) Now plot on the same axes the graphs of F(x)F(x), f(x)f(x), and the Chebyshev function g(x)=4/(3x2)g(x) = 4/(3x^2). How do f(x)f(x) and g(x)g(x) compare as estimates for F(x)F(x)?

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