There is no approximation if the students' grades are independent. The
multinomial distribution only assumes independent trials and constant
value of the p[i] parameters which sum to 1. Of course, a different
class may have different values of the p[i], but that distribution will
also be multinomial.
EAKIN MARK E wrote:
> As an example in class, I was considering using the letter grade
> distribution in class as an example of an approximate multinomial
> distribution. How close do you feel this approximation is?
>
> Mark Eakin
> Associate Professor
> Information Systems and Management Sciences Department
> University of Texas at Arlington
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] or
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
