Tables and probability
Term 1 starting in week 12 :: Estimated time: 1 weeks
- Construct sample spaces for I or more events
- Find probabilities from a sample space
- Find probabilities from two-way tables
- Find probabilities from Venn diagrams
- Use the product rule for finding the total number of possible outcomes
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Activities for pupils
Here are some related resources in alphabetical order. Some may only be appropriate for high-attaining learners while others will be useful for those in need of support. Click anywhere in the grey area to access the resource.
Probability Words A visual aid to highlight the vocabulary of probability and to debate the relationship between the given words.
Probability Washing Line Hang out the washing on the line so that the probability words on the t-shirts are in order.
Pin Drop Estimate the probability of a drawing pin landing point up from experimental data.
Likelihood Arrange some statements in order according to the probability of them happening. Compare your opinion with thousands of others.
Probability Video A reminder of how to work out basic probability leading to simple combined events and expected values.
Probability Basic probability questions in an online exercise.
Hi-Low Predictions A version of the Play Your Cards Right TV show. Calculate the probabilities of cards being higher or lower.
Dice Investigation Throw two dice and multiply the scores. Investigate the different products you can obtain. What about adding? What about using three dice?
Snail Race Projectable Twelve snails have a race based on the sum of two dice. This is the teachers' version of the race simulation.
Snail Race A race between 12 snails. Which snail is most likely to win? This is the students' version of the race simulation.
Two Dice Possibility Space An interactive visual aid showing the possibility space obtained when throwing two dice
Dice Bingo Choose your own numbers for your bingo card. The caller uses two dice and adds the numbers together.
Frequency Trees Use a frequency tree to show two or more events and the number of times they occurred.
The Maths of Gambling Gambling is never a good idea and this activity might help you understand the mathematics involved.
Click on a topic below for suggested lesson Starters, resources and activities from Transum.
- Combinations "A combination is a way of selecting several things out of a larger group, where (unlike permutations) order does not matter. In smaller cases it is possible to count the number of combinations. For example given three fruit, say an apple, orange and pear, there are three combinations of two that can be drawn from this set: an apple and a pear; an apple and an orange; or a pear and an orange." - Wikipedia In Primary school pupils should practise sorting and grouping items noting similarities and differences. They should develop strategies for finding all the ways a small number of items can be arranged so that missing or duplicates can be found quickly. By the end of Secondary school pupils will have learnt the formulas for combinations and permutations and apply them when solving probability problems.
- Probability Probability is a measure of the weight of evidence, and is arrived at through reasoning and inference. In simple terms it is a measure or estimation of likelihood of the occurrence of an event. The word probability comes from the Latin word probabilitas which is a measure of the authority of a witness in a legal case. Some of the earlier mathematical studies of probability were motivated by the desire to be more profitable when gambling. Today however the practical uses of probability theory go far beyond gambling and are used in many aspects of modern life. We believe that even adults can, in many cases, have a poor intuition regarding the effects of probability. These activities are designed to help pupils calculate but also get a 'feel' for the principles of probability.
Lesson Starters
Here are some suggestions for whole-class, projectable resources which can be used at the beginnings of each lesson in this block.
1st Lesson
Ropey Snowballs
Arrange the numbers on the snowballs so that no two consecutive numbers are directly connected by rope.
2nd Lesson
Square Christmas Tree
Draw a picture of a Christmas tree using only square numbers.
3rd Lesson
Snowman and Woman
How many different ways can you spell out the word snowman by moving from snowflake to snowflake.
Some of the Starters above are to reinforce concepts learnt, others are to introduce new ideas while others are on unrelated topics designed for retrieval practice or and opportunity to develop problem-solving skills.
