Question

four spinners with distinct sections of equal area are spun 40 times. which spinner is most likely to produce actual results closest to the predicted results?
a spinner with 2 sections
a spinner with 5 sections
a spinner with 8 sections
a spinner with 10 sections

Explanation:

Step1: Understand the core concept

This relies on the Law of Large Numbers, which states that as the number of trials increases, actual results approach predicted probabilities. For equal-area sections, the number of trials per section matters: more trials per section mean closer alignment to predictions.

Step2: Calculate trials per section

For each spinner, divide total spins (40) by number of sections:

• 2 sections: $\frac{40}{2}=20$ trials per section
• 5 sections: $\frac{40}{5}=8$ trials per section
• 8 sections: $\frac{40}{8}=5$ trials per section
• 10 sections: $\frac{40}{10}=4$ trials per section

Step3: Identify highest trials per section

The spinner with the fewest sections has the most trials per section, leading to results closest to predictions.

Answer:

a spinner with 2 sections