Activity Overview
In this activity, students will use the calculator to simulate the dice rolls to play two different games. They will decide if the games give each player an equally likely chance of winning. They also compute the probability of an event happening.
Before the Activity
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 41 - 47 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Examine the difference between fair and unfair games
Use real dice and explore the probability
Seed the calculator by entering a random number
Set up the calculator to simulate the rolling of 3 dice
In Game 1, points are assigned to players on determining if the sum of the three numbers is odd or even
Repeat 20 trials and find the player with maximum points
Record the data and the result in the Activity sheet
In Game 2, points are assigned to players on determining if the product of the three numbers is odd or even
Repeat 20 trials and find the player with maximum points
Record the data and the result in the Activity sheet
List all possible outcomes for each game and determine the fairness of the games
Use a tree diagram to determine the all possible outcomes of an even and an odd roll in the two games
Determine which game was fair and which was unfair
After the Activity
Students complete the Student Activity sheet.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary