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Simulate sign errors: constant probabilities

Let us simulate our math problems and sign errors.

Here, we will assume that the math problem has just 3 steps, and each step has the same probability of a sign switch. We will simulate the completion of the problem with:

  • a 0.10 probability of making a sign switch on each step.
  • a 0.45 probability of making a sign switch on each step.

This exercise is part of the course

Probability Puzzles in R

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Exercise instructions

  • Simulate 10000 iterations of completion of the 3 step math problem, with a 0.10 probability of a sign switch on each step.
  • Estimate the probability of arriving at the correct answer, by finding the proportion of the time that an even number of sign switches were made.
  • Repeat for a 0.45 probability of a sign switch on each step.
  • Estimate the probability of obtaining the correct answer for this second probability.

Hands-on interactive exercise

Have a go at this exercise by completing this sample code.

set.seed(1)

# Run 10000 iterations, 0.1 sign switch probability
switch_a <- 

# Calculate probability of correct answer


# Run 10000 iterations, 0.45 sign switch probability
switch_b <- 

# Calculate probability of correct answer
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