This applet estimates the lifetimes of four different systems. The
systems contain components whose lifetimes are exponentially distributed.
How to use the applet
- Select one of the four system lifetimes by clicking on its
picture in the list labeled "Select system." The equation for the
system lifetime is displayed under the list.
- For each component of the system,
,
,
,
, enter its mean lifetime
in the table. Note, these four cells act like a spreadsheet
application; to change an entry, click on it, delete the current
value, type a new one, and then press enter. The mean lifetimes
must be positive.
- Choose the number of simulations to run by selecting
,
, or
,
and click "Generate New Simulations & Plot."
simulations are
generated and a histogram of the system lifetimes is plotted.
- Click the button that reads "View Simulations" to view the simulated
lifetimes of the components and the simulated system lifetimes.
- On the histogram, drag the sliders labeled a and b. In the table
below the histogram, the probabilities
,
,
and
are updated,
where
is the system lifetime.
The applet