Edwin tossed a number cube several times. He got the number “4” on 5 of the tosses. Based on theoretical probabilities, what is the best estimate of the total number of times he tossed the cube?
1/6 x = 5
To estimate the total number of times Edwin tossed the number cube, we can use the concept of probability. Theoretical probabilities are used to predict the chance of an event happening in an ideal scenario. In this case, we are given that Edwin got the number "4" on 5 of the tosses.
Let's assume that the probability of getting a "4" on a single toss of the number cube is consistent throughout all the tosses. In that case, the probability of getting a "4" on any given toss would be 1 out of 6 since a standard number cube has 6 faces numbered from 1 to 6.
Therefore, the probability of getting a "4" on any one toss is 1/6. To estimate the total number of times Edwin tossed the cube, we can set up a proportion:
(Probability of getting a "4" on one toss) / (Total number of tosses) = (Number of "4" tosses) / (Total number of tosses)
Substituting the known values into the equation, we get:
(1/6) / (Total number of tosses) = (5) / (Total number of tosses)
Cross-multiplying, we have:
5 * (Total number of tosses) = (1/6)
Simplifying further:
Total number of tosses = 5 / (1/6)
Total number of tosses = 5 * (6/1)
Total number of tosses = 30
Based on theoretical probabilities, the best estimate for the total number of times Edwin tossed the number cube is 30 tosses.