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Lesson 4 - Theoretical Probability

 

To encourage students to have fun on the Web while learning about Theoretical Probability, here are some games and interactive activities they can do on their own or in pairs.

Goal

Create a list of possible outcomes to determine probability.

 

Builds Upon

Student Book pages 400- 401

Instructions for Use

 

Heads or Tails lets students see the probability of getting head or tails in a coin toss.

To use Heads or Tails input the number of coins to be tossed and the number of times each coin is to be tossed. Click the 'Play' button. A graph will display the results.

 

Two Colour Applet lets students simulate pulling red and green chips out of boxes, in order to understand chance and probability.

To use Two Colour Applet, three boxes are shown, each containing two balls.  One box contains two red balls, one box contains two green balls, and one box contains a red and a green ball . Start by running the single trial mode. Click on one of the boxes two times to reveal the colour of the two balls it contains. A count will be kept of the results. To run in multiple trial mode, enter the number of trials desired in the box, and click on the run multiple trials button.

If the first ball drawn is green, 1 will be added to the total number of times when the first ball was green. If the second ball is also green, 1 will be added to the total number of times when both balls are green.  If the first ball is red, or if both balls are red, 1 is added only to the number of trials so far.