Showing posts with label probability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label probability. Show all posts

Friday, September 24, 2010

Nearing the End of Probability

We are beginning to approach the end of our Probability Unit. The students have been working hard to distinguish between each of the following:

1. "and"/"or" probability
2. theoretical/experimental probability
3. fair/unfair games
4. independent/dependent events

In addition, we've been talking about different ways to express sample spaces and how to predict the number of times a certain outcome would occur based on probability.

As we wrap up this unit, please consider the following questions as some dinner table conversation and see how much your student has learned so far this year!

1. Jon and Harry are playing a game with a number cube. Jon gets a point if the number cube lands on an odd number. Harry gets 3 points if the number cube lands on a 5. Is this a fair game?

2. Rachel flips a coin 12 times and gets heads 7 times and tails 5 times. What is the probability that she will land on heads the next time she flips?

3. What is the probability of flipping a head on a fair coin and rolling a 6 on a number cube?

4. What is the probability of flipping a head on a fair coin or rolling a 6 on a number cube?

5. You have a bag of 6 snickers, 12 milky way, and 2 almond joy candy bars. What is the probability that you would pick a snickers and then an almond joy?

6. There are 25 stink bugs and 10 ladybugs in Mrs. Critzer's sunroom. What would be the probability of a 4 stink bugs landing on her head, assuming once they land there they stay there?

Early next week we will begin to talk about combinations and permutations.

Have a great weekend!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Probability Unit Starts Monday!

We're very excited to start our Probability Unit on Monday!

Over the weekend, think about these questions in preparation:

1. Can the same number be written as a fraction, decimal and a percent?
2. What is probability?
3. What does it mean for a percent to be over 100? (example: 224%)
4. What does "equally likely" mean?
5. Can you think of an event that is "certain" to happen in the next 24 hours?

Have a great weekend!