Minitab – Simulation Assignment
Feel free to make these changes to your assignment:
 The distribution that is being sampled from. Modify the values and the probabilities.
 Students are simulating 𝑋̅. Feel free to modify the sample size.
Points:
 Question #1
o Award 2 points if the student obtained Minitab output that contains the mean
and standard deviation of C14 (𝑋̅).
o Award 1 point if the student correctly identified the Minitab value for the mean.
o Award 1 point if the student correctly identified the Minitab value of the
standard deviation.
 Question #2
o Award 1 point if they obtained a reasonable histogram.
o Award 1 point if they obtained the correct normal probability plot.
o Award 2 points if they correctly state whether or not the distribution is normal.
o Award 1 point if their reason for why the distribution is normal refers to the
histogram and correctly assesses whether or not it is bell-shaped.
o Award 1 point if their reason refers to the normal probability plot and correctly
assesses whether or not there is a straight line pattern.
 Question #3
o Award 1 point if they obtain a probability.
o Award 2 points if they give a valid reason for the probability such as :
 If the distribution IS NOT approximately normal, they could obtain a tally
of the values in C14 and estimate the probability in this manner.
 If the distribution IS approximately normal, they could
 obtain a tally of the values in C14 to estimate the probability
 use normalcdf with the mean and standard deviation values from
question #1
 use normalcdf with population parameters 𝜇 and 𝜎 and then use


𝜎/√𝑛
Question #4 Just make sure relevant graphs and output are included.
Total Points = 13
These are the only points we want to compare. If you take off points for late, not stapled, etc.
record those points separately.
Minitab Assignment - Simulation
The purpose of this Minitab assignment is to conduct a simulation involving sampling from the discrete
probability distribution below.
X
P(X)
0
0.001
1
0.003
2
0.025
3
0.111
4
0.279
5
0.373
6
0.208
In Minitab, Place the “X” values in column C1. Place the “P(X)” values in column C2.
To simulate a sample of size 𝑛=10 from this population, follow the steps in Minitab:
From the top menu, select “Calc/Random Data/Discrete...”.
Once the window opens,
 Number of rows to generate:10000
 Store in columns(s): C3-C12
 Values in : C1
 Probabilities in: C2
Click OK.
To average the sample observations, follow the steps in Minitab:
From the top menu, select “Calc/Row Statistics...”
 Select “Mean”.
 Click in the box “Input Variables”. Enter C3-C12.
 Store result in: C14
Click OK
Note: Each row represents a sample of observations. The values in C14 are the
sample means of the sample observations in C3 through C12.
1. Use Minitab to find the following descriptive statistics for the sample means in C14.
The mean is _______________ (1 point) and the standard deviation is ___________ (1 point).
Attach the Minitab output (2 points).
2. Create a histogram and normal probability plot for the sample means in C14 (1 point each).
Is the distribution of C14 approximately normal? (2 points)
Explain your answer by referring to both the graph of the distribution (1 point) and the normal
probability plot (1 point).
3. Estimate the chance of observing a sample mean that is at least 5.0 (1 point). You must explain
your answer (2 points).
4. Submit all relevant graphs and output from the session window with this page as the cover
sheet. Do not print the worksheet from Minitab.