Experiment (probability theory)

Experiments or trials are procedures that can be repeated any number of times under identical conditions and the outcome of the experiment is not known beforehand.

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Properties

  • The outcome cannot be predicted (depends on chance).
  • All possible outcomes are known before the experiment. These are summarized in the sample space.
  • The experiment can be repeated under identical conditions.

Example

Throwing a dice is an experiment or trial. All characteristics apply:

  • Before the dice is thrown, it is not possible to predict which side it will land on.
  • All possible outcomes are known. The sample space = {number 1, number 2, ..., number 6}
  • The experiment can be repeated under identical conditions.

Other random experiments are e.g. pulling a ball out of a lottery drum, throwing a coin, spinning a wheel of fortune, etc.