Activity Detail
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Probability
 


Activity Overview

Students examine predictable outcomes of events such as flipping a coin or rolling a dice. They see that these events repeated many times form a pattern of distribution. They explore the probability concepts of most likely and least likely.

Before the Activity

  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 85 - 100 from the attached PDF file

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the activity procedure:
    Activity 1: Multiply or Add to get a Larger Number
  • Roll three dice and list the rolls as - a, b, and c
  • Predict if the outcome will be a x b > b + c or a x b < b + c or a x b = b + c
  • Use the calculator to simulate the roll of three dice and record the results in a table
  • Calculate a x b and b + c
  • Repeat 20 trials and analyze data collected
  • Find the percent of each instance and the probability of each outcome
  • Identify the "most likely" outcome and the "least likely" outcome


    • Activity 2: Flip Five
  • Predict the probability of getting exactly three heads, at least 3 heads, and no more than 3 heads when five coins are flipped
  • Use the calculator to simulate flipping five coins and record at least 20 flips
  • Record the data in a table and tabulate the number of heads in each series of flips
  • Compare the prediction with the experimental results
  • Use a tree diagram along with the list of possible outcomes to find the theoretical probability

  • Use other elementary school activities to develop an understanding of probability

    		After the Activity

    		Review students results and re-teach concepts as necessary.

    		Other Downloads




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    Subject Area:
    Math : Statistics : Probability and Simulation

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    K-4

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-73 Explorer™

    Apps:
     

    Software:
     

    Accessories:
     

    Other:
    This is Activity 7 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Integrating Handheld Technology into the Elementary Mathematics Classroom .

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