Questions: A computer will reliably follow a set of instructions without any variation or mistakes. Which of the following is the best explanation for why random chance is included in a computer simulation? A. An actual event might occur too fast to be observed in an experiment. B. It is always a waste of time to repeat the same exact experiment. C. A living thing rarely repeats a behavior in exactly the same way. D. The scientist who programmed the computer might have made a mistake.

The answer is the third one (or C): A living thing rarely repeats a behavior in exactly the same way.

Explanation for each option:

A. An actual event might occur too fast to be observed in an experiment.

• This option is not directly related to the need for random chance in a computer simulation. While it is true that some events occur too quickly to be observed, this does not explain why randomness is included in simulations.

B. It is always a waste of time to repeat the same exact experiment.

• This option is incorrect because repeating experiments is a fundamental part of the scientific method to ensure reliability and accuracy. The inclusion of random chance in simulations is not about avoiding repetition but about mimicking natural variability.

C. A living thing rarely repeats a behavior in exactly the same way.

• This is the correct answer. In nature, behaviors and events often have inherent variability. To accurately simulate natural processes, computer simulations include random chance to reflect this variability and produce more realistic outcomes.

D. The scientist who programmed the computer might have made a mistake.

• This option is incorrect because it suggests that randomness is a result of human error, rather than an intentional and necessary component of the simulation to model natural variability.

Summary: The best explanation for why random chance is included in a computer simulation is that a living thing rarely repeats a behavior in exactly the same way, making option C the correct answer.