Shodor Education Foundation
Spinner
Go round and round to compare theoretical and experimental probabilities. Learners set the number of sectors and the number of spins for a spinner. Then, a table displays the experimental and theoretical probabilities of the spinner for...
Illustrative Mathematics
Return to Fred's Fun Factory (with 50 Cents)
The penny arcade gets the statistics treatment in this fun probability investigation. A non-standard game of chance is described and then the class is set loose to find missing probabilities, determine common outcomes, and evaluate...
Shodor Education Foundation
Spread of Disease
Control the spread of a contagious disease. An applet allows pupils to run a simulation on the spread of a disease. Rules govern how the disease is spread and the length of time it takes to recover. Learners view the spread visually and...
Curated OER
Data Analysis and Probability
Students design models to simulate actual events using various random devices. They estimate the likelihood of a particular outcome using results of simulation. In addition, they simulate the births of three children to a using a coin.
Curated OER
Probabilities for Number Cubes
Middle schoolers explore the concept of probability. In this probability lesson, students roll a six-sided number cube and record the frequency of each outcome. Middle schoolers graph their data using a frequency chart and keep tally...
Curated OER
Probability and Geometry
Students explore the ways Geometry can help solve probability problems. Students describe platonic solids and practice calculating probability using an online resource. They construct dice with various numbers of sides to demonstrate...
Curated OER
Calculating Theoretical & Experimental Probability
Young scholars collect data by conducting a survey of fellow classmates. They investigate the relationship between estimates obtained from samples and theoretical probabilities. Answer keys included.
Curated OER
Probability of Childhood Games
Middle schoolers explore the concept of probability. In this probability lesson plan, students find the probability of certain situations including spinning a spinner, drawing marbles from a bag, and rolling a dice.
Curated OER
Ideas That Lead to Probability
Students explore and define the concept of probability. They utilize a random number generator to determine the fairness of a game. Internet and printable versions fo the activities are included.
Curated OER
Buffon's Needle An Analysis and Simulation
If you dropped a needle on a lined sheet of paper what is the probability that the needle will cross one of the lines on the page? Surprise your class with how calculating this probability can approximate pi. This question is known as...
Curated OER
Chances Are......You're Right
Young mathematicians study probability. In this math lesson, learners calculate odds, and convert those into percentages of probability. Fractions are also used, making this lesson quite rich in some of the more difficult conversions...
Curated OER
Election Poll, Variation 3
Build on probability and incorporate a random number generator to select outcomes for a school election. Your learners will record their results on a dot plot and answer questions regarding whether their candidate has a chance at the...
Shodor Education Foundation
Marbles
Grab some marbles from a bag. The applet simulates drawing marbles from a bag. Pupils determine the number of four colors of marbles in a bag and how many marbles to draw. Using information on whether order matters in the draw and if...
Curated OER
Do You Feel Lucky?
Students explore probability by using games based on probable outcomes of events. They name all of the possible outcomes of an event and express the likelihood of such an event occurring.
Curated OER
Probability using M & M's
Using M & M's candies, young statisticians predict the color distribution in a packet of candies and test their predictions against their group and the larger class. A review of converting between fractions, decimals, and percents...
Actis
Handling Data: Probability, Tree Diagrams
Clean, but captivating, two online simulations demonstrate probability for middle schoolers. They can choose the number of coins and tosses and watch as the results pile up. They can choose from a variety of spinner types and the number...
Shodor Education Foundation
Estimating With Fire
Watch the damage from a forest fire in this interactive simulation activity that challenges learners to estimate the burn area using different approaches. Learners are given a worksheet to track the different burn patterns and practice...
Google
The Law of Large Numbers and Probability
Learners investigate why theoretical probability doesn't always match reality. The activity involves using Python 2.7 (or Sage) to set up a Bernoulli Trial. It also involves setting up a spreadsheet to simulate the Birthday Paradox....
Curated OER
Drawing One and Two Playing Cards With Replacement
Math whizzes use data from simulations to make theoretical generalizations and discuss possible relationships between several given events. They use a simple card game to generate data to be analyzed.
Curated OER
Capture/Recapture
Students use proportions to estimate the size of populations. They describe the data with using a graph or table of the estimate. Students use descriptive statistics to calculate mean, median, and mode. They also compare and contrast an...
Curated OER
Law of Large Numbers - Hospital
Students explore concepts of probability and independent events. They develop a formula for deviation percentage.
Curated OER
Playing With Probability
Students rotate through work stations where they compute problems of theoretical and experimental probability. In this probability lesson plan, students use simulations of a lottery system.
Curated OER
Designing Models to Simulate Actual Events Using a Random Number Generator
Students design models to simulate actual events using a random number generator on a calculator. They estimate the likelihood of a particular outcome using results of simulations. Answer Key included.
Curated OER
Finding the Area Under A Curve with Random Probability
Students explore the concept of area under a curve. In this area under a curve lesson plan, students find the area under a curve using the Monte Carlo method using random points and probability. Students calculate the area under the same...