Help please, complicated question!?

Question

I am told:

To set up a random-number simulation, first group numbers N from 1 to 1000 according to the given probabilities. For example, the first 52 numbers (1-52) correspond to t=10. The next 132 numbers (53-184) correspond to t=20, and so on. Complete the table below and input your answers into the space provided.

and given the horizontal table:

Titled Probablity of Specific Processing Times (in seconds)

Processing time, t: 10,20,30,40,50,60

Probability, P(t): 0.052, 0.132, 0.158, 0.135, 0.123, 0.104

Processing time, t: 70,80,90,100,110,120

Probability, P(t): 0.058, 0.034, 0.116, 0.050, 0.026, 0.012

It seems like a really complicated question, I don't know where to begin. Thanks for any help

Answer 1

Let me give you an example of the process using smaller numbers:

Let's say we have 3 probabilities:

P(10) = .18, P(20) = .35, P(30) = .47

If I write "10" on 18 slips of paper,

and "20" on 35 slips, and "30" on 47 slips,

and put them into a hat, mix them up, and draw one out,

there is

18/100 chance it will have "10" on it,

35/100 chance it will have "20" on it, and

47/100 chance it will have "30" on it.

You have to do the same thing, except with 1000 "slips of paper".

If this is a programming assignment,

create an array, let's call it P, fill it with

52 10's, 132 20's, 158 30's, and so on.

Then choose a random number between 0 and 999,

and return P(random_number( )).

Chances of it being 10 are 52/1000,

20 at 132/1000, 30 at 158/1000, etc.

If that's not clear, let me know and I'll expand and clarify.

.