Probability

This unit aims to provide students with an experience of randomness. This is done by a related set of activities that link large sequences of tossing coins, random walks, Pascal's Triangle, and probabilities that are a little too complicated for probability trees.

This unit aims to introduce students to concepts that are important in probability.The emphasis should be on working slowly taking the time to let the students grasp the ideas that underlie the activities presented. All the ideas are important as a base for future learning in this area of mathematics.

This is a level 5 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 5 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 5 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 5 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

Many games of chance and activities in maths text books involve rolling two dice and combining the scores, usually by addition. Students often find the probabilities of such events difficult to calculate as they are confused between events (for example a score of 4) and outcomes (for example 3 and 1, 2 and 2, 1 and 3). This unit makes use of a variety of activities where the number of outcomes in the sample space is clearly different from the number of events.

This unit aims to introduce students to concepts that are important in probability.The emphasis should be on working slowly taking the time to let the students grasp the ideas that underlie the activities presented. All the ideas are important as a base for future learning in this area of mathematics.

These exercises, activities and games are designed for students to use independently or in small groups to practise number properties. Some involve investigation (see copymaster of investigation write up) and may become longer and more involved tasks with subsequent recording/reporting. Typically an exercise is a 10 to 15 minute activity.

Many games of chance and activities in maths text books involve rolling two dice and combining the scores, usually by addition. Students often find the probabilities of such events difficult to calculate as they are confused between events (for example a score of 4) and outcomes (for example 3 and 1, 2 and 2, 1 and 3). This unit makes use of a variety of activities where the number of outcomes in the sample space is clearly different from the number of events.

This activity provides students with a fun game context in which to practice their addition skills. It also introduces concepts of probability.

 The purpose of this unit is to use games to gather and present data in a systematic way in order to determine the likely outcomes of some everyday events.

Two red and two blue multi-link cubes are placed in a bag. The player takes out two cubes. If the player gets two red cubes they win. The unit looks at, analyses, and extends, this game of chance.

Three coins are tossed. A player wins if two heads and a tail come up. The unit looks at, analyses, and extends, this game of chance.

In this unit, students will explore the commonly held belief that if anything bad can possibly happen it will and at the most inopportune time. They will be encouraged to look at events involving chance and predict the likelihood of certain outcomes by both trialling the event and analysing it theoretically. There is a lot of work in this unit so you might like to spread it over more than one week or do different parts at different times of the year. Some of the simulations are reasonably complicated so it may take students most of a lesson until they have come to grips with the rules involved.

In this unit we investigate the link between experimental and theoretical probability and learn about short run variability. We then take part in sports betting simulations designed to illustrate how damaging gambling can be.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 probability activity from the Figure It Out theme series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

In this unit students play the game "Top Drop" which has them predicting the outcome of dropping a plastic drink bottle top. The outcome of each drop is recorded and used to develop an understanding of relative frequency and probability and to increase the likelihood of winning. The unit culminates in a "Top Drop" tournament where students use the knowledge and understanding they have gained during the unit.

This activity provides students with a fun game context in which to practice their addition skills. It also introduces concepts of probability.

 The purpose of this unit is to use games to gather and present data in a systematic way in order to determine the likely outcomes of some everyday events.

Two red and two blue multi-link cubes are placed in a bag. The player takes out two cubes. If the player gets two red cubes they win. The unit looks at, analyses, and extends, this game of chance.

In this unit we investigate the link between experimental and theoretical probability and learn about short run variability. We then take part in sports betting simulations designed to illustrate how damaging gambling can be.

These exercises, activities and games are designed for students to use independently or in small groups to practise random number properties. Some involve investigation (see Related Resources) and may become longer and more involved tasks with subsequent recording/reporting. Typically an exercise is a 10 to 15 minute independent activity.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 and 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 and 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 and 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 and 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 probability and masurement activity from the Figure It Out theme series.

This is a level 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 4 activity from the Figure It Out series.

In this unit we experiment with cubes to make predictions about likelihood based on our observations. With these experiences the students find out that with probability there is no way of knowing for sure that will happen.

This week we use spinners to develop our understanding of the probability of simple events occurring.

This week we investigate ways of systematically counting all the possible outcomes of an event. One approach that we focus on is the use of tree diagrams.

In this unit we take samples of blocks from a bag and use them to make predictions about the blocks that the bag actually contains. The students learn that although we can't be 100% certain we can use the information that we gather from sampling to make reasonable predictions.

In this unit we take samples of blocks from a bag and use them to make predictions about the blocks that the bag actually contains. We discuss the difference between theoretical and experimental probabilities.

This unit uses one of the digital learning objects, Spinners, to support students as they explore probability. It includes problems and questions that can be used by the teacher when working with a group of students on the learning object, and ideas for independent student work.

Three coins are tossed. A player wins if two heads and a tail come up. The unit looks at, analyses, and extends, this game of chance.

In this unit, students will explore the commonly held belief that if anything bad can possibly happen it will and at the most inopportune time. They will be encouraged to look at events involving chance and predict the likelihood of certain outcomes by both trialling the event and analysing it theoretically. There is a lot of work in this unit so you might like to spread it over more than one week or do different parts at different times of the year. Some of the simulations are reasonably complicated so it may take students most of a lesson until they have come to grips with the rules involved.

These are level 3 number, geometry, and statistics problems from the Figure It Out series.

These are level 3 number, measurement, and statistics problems from the Figure It Out series.

These are level 3 statistics problems from the Figure It Out series.

These are level 3 statistics, geometry, algebra, and number problems from the Figure It Out series.

These are level 3 statistics, geometry, algebra, and number problems from the Figure It Out series.

These are level 3 probability and level 4 number problems from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 and 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 and 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 and 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 and 4 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 3 probability activity from the Figure It Out theme series.

This is a level 3 probability and level 2 number activity from the Figure It Out theme series.

This is a level 3 probability activity from the Figure It Out theme series.

This is a level 3 probability activity from the Figure It Out theme series.

This is a level 3 statistics activity from the Figure It Out theme series.

This is a level 3 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is an activity based on the picture book A Very Improbable Story

In this unit we play several games based on coloured cubes and coins. The idea is to get some idea of the relative rate at which things happen and think about the concept of a fair game.

In this unit we play probability games and learn about sample space and a sense of fairness

This is a level 2 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 2 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

In this unit students make spinners to show the probability of events. They will make statements about probabilities shown on spinners and evaluate statements made by other classmates.

This is a level 2 statistics activity from the Figure It Out series.

This is a level 2 activity from the Figure It Out series.

In this unit we develop the language of probability by considering events which are likely or unlikely. We do this using the context of children's stories.

In this unit we have a first look at uncertainty and chance. We begin to develop an intuitive sense of what chance and possibilities are about. The activities in this unit are games that involve following rules, making predictions and seeing what happens.

This is an activity based on the picture book Probably Pistachio