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Classroom Idea: Probability and Uncertainty

Activity

Classroom Idea: Probability and Uncertainty

Grade Levels

10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 9th Grade

Course, Subject

Mathematics

Authors

Mathematics Resource Guide with Core Curriculum Writing Team

Note

This "classroom Idea" is provided to illustrate examples of each performance indicator. Teachers should feel free to use it or adapt it if they so desire. Some of the ideas exemplify more than one performance indicator and/or incorporate topics in science and technology. In those instances, the appropriate performance indicators will be identified.

Description

A box contains 20 slips of paper. Five of the slips are marked with an “X,” seven are marked with a “Y,” and the rest are blank. The slips are well mixed. Determine the probability that a blank slip will be drawn without looking in the bag on the first draw. Have students determine the probability theoretically and then have each conduct the experiment with ten trials and see how close the empirical probability was to the theoretical probability. Combine data from all students in the class to see if a larger number of trials will result in an empirical probability that more closely resembles the theoretical probability.

Source

Mathematics Resource Guide with Core Curriculum Writing Team. “Classroom Ideas.” Mathematics Resource Guide with Core Curriculum, New York State Department of Education, 136.
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