Activity Overview
Students learn to find the theoretical probability of different female/male combinations in a family of kittens. Students will investigate empirical and theoretical probabilities and make a connection to Pascal's triangle and binomial outcomes.
Before the Activity
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 99 - 105 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Given a problem to find the probability that a cat will deliver 5 calico female kittens
Divide the class in pairs
Each pair simulates the flipping of 5 coins 50 times on the calculator, with 1 standing for heads (female), and 0 standing for tails (male)
Keep a tally chart of all outcomes
Record results of each group
Generate lists for the number of female kittens, team frequency totals, and class frequency totals
Enter data in lists and plot a bar graphs of number of female kittens versus team frequency totals and number of female kittens versus class frequency totals
Make a list of all possible combination of outcomes and complete the summary table provided
Complete Pascal's Triangle
Use Pascal's Triangle and the summary table to complete the Theoretical Probability Table
Generate a list and enter fractional probabilities
Generate another list with the predicted or expected numbers
Create a double bar graph and compare the empirical and theoretical probabilities
After the Activity
Students will complete the Worksheet and analyze the results.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary