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Buffon type problems - Introduction and simulations

Goal of problem - estimate \(\pi\). Part of the Virtual Laboratories in Probability and Statistics. This link is to the extensive expository material which in turn links to associated applet material. In the applet simulation, the length of the needle is a parameter. Data collected includes: the angle of the needle relative to the crack in floorboards, the distance of the center to the floor board is collected, and whether or not the needle crosses. \(\Pi\) is estimated with each update of the simulation. The number of crack crossings is explained to be a binomial distribution, with parameters equal the number of tosses and two times the length of the needle divided by \(\pi\).
Identifier: 
http://www.math.uah.edu/stat/buffon/Buffon.html
Rating: 
Average: 3 (246 votes)
Creator(s): 
Kyle Siegrist
Cataloger: 
Carolyn Cuff
Publisher: 
MathDL
Rights: 
Creative Commons