National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The Game of SKUNK
Do I stand or do I sit? The class plays a dice game where they must decide to either continue to stand and play or sit down and keep their points. After the game, groups discuss individuals' strategies and see connections to the...
EngageNY
Calculating Probabilities of Compound Events
Use tree diagrams with multiple branches to calculate the probabilities of compound events. Pupils use tree diagrams to find the sample space for probability problems and use them to determine the probability of compound events in the...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Introduction to Conditional Probability
Here is a turnkey instructional activity that walks young statisticians through the development and uses of conditional probability. From dice games to surveys, Venn diagrams to frequency tables, the class learns how a given can effect...
Statistics Education Web
Odd or Even? The Addition and Complement Principles of Probability
Odd or even—fifty-fifty chance? Pupils first conduct an experiment rolling a pair of dice to generate data in a probability instructional activity. It goes on to introduce mutually exclusive and non-mutually exclusive events, and how to...
Curated OER
Probability
Here is a very clever way of teaching young mathematicians the concept of probability. A spinner is made that has two outcomes, yes and no. A chart is made that has two columns that are labeled Correct and Incorrect. The teacher asks a...
EngageNY
Estimating Probabilities by Collecting Data
Take a spin to determine experimental probability. Small groups spin a spinner and keep track of the sums of the spins and calculate the resulting probabilities. Pupils use simulated frequencies to practice finding other probabilities to...
Curated OER
Conditional Probability and Probability of Simultaneous Events
Your statisticians examine the characteristics of conditional probability and the probability of simultaneous independent events. They perform computer activities to find probabilities for simple compound events. They examine the...
Curated OER
Even/Odds Game
Using a game format, learners review what they know about theoretical probability. As they roll tetrahedron dice, they record their results as odd or even. Afterwards, they discuss their findings.
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...
EngageNY
The Difference Between Theoretical Probabilities and Estimated Probabilities
Flip a coin to determine whether the probability of heads is one-half. Pupils use simulated data to find the experimental probability of flipping a coin. Participants compare the long run relative frequency with the known theoretical...
Shodor Education Foundation
From Probability to Combinatorics and Number Theory
What middle schooler does not enjoy an occasional online game? In this instructional activity play, you will find embedded links to an online probability game, and informative pages about how division is used in probability, the concept...
Statistics Education Web
The Egg Roulette Game
Hard boiled or raw? Which egg will you get? A hands-on activity has scholars explore the impact of conditional probability. Based on a skit from the Tonight Show, pupils model the selection of the two types of eggs using beads. They...
Curated OER
Mathematics of Fair Games
Pupils examine mathematicians' notion of fairness in games of chance. They work in pairs to perform three different experiments using macaroni and paper bags. They record their results on charts and compare their data.
Curated OER
Chances Are
Upper graders examine the concept of probability. They collect data and create a bar graph. They must interpret the data as well. Everyone engages in hands-on games and activities which lead them to predict possible outcomes for a...
EngageNY
Games of Chance and Expected Value 1
There's a strong chance that class members enjoy learning math through engaging games. Scholars analyze games of chance to determine long-term behavior. They learn to calculate expected value to help with this assessment.
EngageNY
Fair Games
What constitutes a fair game? Scholars learn about fair games and analyze some to see if they are fair. They extend this idea to warranties and other contexts.
EngageNY
Analyzing Decisions and Strategies Using Probability 1
Learn how to increase the probability of success. The 19th installment of a 21-part module teaches future mathematicians how to use probability to analyze decisions. They determine strategies to maximize the chances of a desired outcome.
EngageNY
Chance Experiments
Class members are introduced to probability using terms such as impossible, unlikely, likely, and certain. Numbers between zero and one are associated with the descriptions of probability. Pupils find the likelihood of chance experiments...
American Statistical Association
What is the Probability of “Pigging Out”
Learners apply their understanding of luck to a probability experiment. They play a game of Pass the Pigs to determine the probability of a specific outcome. Using analysis for their data, pupils declare the measures of center, dot...
EngageNY
Games of Chance and Expected Value 2
Use expected values to analyze games of chance. The 15th installment of a 21-part module has young mathematicians looking at different games involving tickets and deciding which would be the best to play. They calculate expected payoffs...
Curated OER
Modeling Conditional Probabilities 1: Lucky Dip
Check out this detailed lesson plan on conditional probability! Learners work individually and also collaboratively to analyze the fairness of a game and justify their reasoning. it includes detailed notes and many helpful suggestions...
Curated OER
Probability- Based Bingo Lesson Plan
Statisticians play a game of Bingo to discover the meaning of probability. They are given 12 markers to distribute across the numbers 1-12 on their playing mat. As a pair of dice is rolled, markers are removed from the playing mat. The...
Mathalicious
Three Shots
To foul or not to foul, that is the basketball question. High schoolers look at the probability that fouling out a player and allowing free throws yields a better outcome than allowing the original shot. The resource provides a teacher's...
Curated OER
Unexpected Answers
Students explore the concept of fairness. In this fairness lesson, students play four probability games. Students determine who has the best chance of winning each of the four games. Students discuss which games gave an unfair advantage.