Activity Overview
In this activity, students study some important concepts of probability. They use coin tossing experiments to determine the probability of a tossed coin coming up heads. They examine both short and long term experimental probabilities and their relationship to the theoretical probability.
Before the Activity
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 41 - 49 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Use the calculator to simulate tossing of a coin
Note that each of the numbers generated is either 1 or 0
Predict the result of a coin toss
Simulate tossing a coin ten times
Record the results and compare with the prediction
Enter the data as a list
Compute the ratio of the number of heads to the total number of tosses, and save the fraction (representing the experimental probability) in a list
Set up a line plot and graph the results
Add a horizontal line that represents the decimal fraction 0.5 (theoretical probability)
Examine the data around this line and determine how close the fractions are to 1/2
Understand that it is possible that the final fraction is not 0.5
Repeat the simulation for more sets of ten coin tosses
Realize that as larger number of trials are conducted, the experimental probability comes closer to the theoretical probability
After the Activity
Students complete data sheet and answer questions.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary