Applications of MAPLE in the

Instruction of

Probability and Statistics

EPADEL SPRING MEETING

April 8, 2000

Elliot A.Tanis

Department of Mathematics
Hope College
Holland, MI 49422-9000

tanis@hope.edu

http://www.math.hope.edu/tanis

A Computer Algebra System (CAS) such as MAPLE can solve problems symbolically. A CAS can also be used to do numerical calculations. Simulation can be incorporated in a variety of applications. The graphical capability of a CAS can help students see properties of data and the meaning of expressions that are given symbolically.

Here are several examples that illustrate ways for integrating MAPLE into the instruction of probability and statistics. Some show animations of figures that would be static in a book or paper. Some illustrate symbolic solutions along with simulation to support some of these solutions.

The statistics package that comes with MAPLE is not complete. However, Zaven Karian has written more than 130 additional procedures to support instruction in probability and statistics. These procedures are available at no cost and several will be illustrated.

To get started, click on the following command line to load the supplementary statistics package as well as some other procedures that will be used.

> restart: read `e:statvr4.m`: with(plots): randomize(): with(student):
read `e:ProbHistFill.txt`: read `e:EmpCDF.txt`: read `e:HistogramFill.txt`: read `e:ProbHistB.txt`: read `e:ProbHistFillY.txt`: read `e:ScatPlotCirc.txt`: read `e:EmpCDF.txt`:

Discrete Distribution Examples

Continuous Distribution Examples

Confidence Intervals and Animation of the Power Function

Sums of Discrete Random Variables

Sums of Continuous Random Variables

Limits of Moment-Generating Functions

Acknowledgements