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BarGraph Applet

If you have an event with probability given as p%, this applet shows how many times out of n attempts you can expect to be successful. These bar graphs approximate normal distribution, also known as Gaussian distribution (named for Karl Friedrich Gauss) or the Bell Curve (named for the shape).  Use the slider bars to change the probabilities and number of attempts.

This applet works best in full screen mode.  If the box below is just a grey rectangle you can put Java on your machine for free through this link.




Things to try out.

1.  If you leave the probability at 50% and change the number of attempts, what happens to the tallest bar as the number of attemtps changes?  Compare this to the Bell Curve Approximation applet.

2.  Let's say your best player needs to make at least 7 out of 10 of her free throw shots for the team to win; how good a free throw shooter does she have to be for the team to have a 50% chance of winning?  How good does she have to be for the team to have a 75% chance of winning?