Get startedGet started for free

Writing a simple function

Let's write a simple function to do a typical task in this course. Here, our function will simulate the rolling of dice and report the sum of the values that appear. Our function will allow the user to choose how many dice they would like to roll.

Although R cannot physically roll dice for us, we can simulate an equivalent process by taking random draws from the set of numbers {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} with equal probability. Using the sample function is one way to accomplish this.

This exercise is part of the course

Probability Puzzles in R

View Course

Exercise instructions

  • Using the sample function, specify the size and replace parameters.
  • Calculate the sum of the rolls.
  • return the object containing the answer.
  • Run the function for a roll of five dice.

Hands-on interactive exercise

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

# Set seed to 1
set.seed(1)

# Write a function to roll k dice
roll_dice <- function(k){
  all_rolls <- sample(c(1,2,3,4,5,6), 
                      ___, 
                      replace = ___)
  final_answer <- ____
  return(___)
}

# Run the function to roll five dice
roll_dice(___)
Edit and Run Code