Content Area: Math

 

Index: 4.4B Grade 8 CPI 4

 

Standard: 4.4 - Data Analysis, Probability, and Discrete Mathematics

 

Strand: B - Probability

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 4 - The student will model situations involving probability with simulations (using spinners, dice, calculators and computers) and theoretical models (frequency, relative frequency)

 

Grade: 8

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        During an integrated unit with their science and health classes, students discuss the various gender possibilities for children within a family. For each large family, that is, number of children, up to 6, they calculate the probability of each possible gender mix. Three groups of students conduct simulations - one with coins, one with dice (1, 2, or 3 on a die represent a female) and one with spinners. They also collect this data for all of the students in their school. They report their findings and compare the theoretical possibilities, the simulated probabilities, and the actual outcomes, and discuss the differences and similarities.

 

·        Students study the chances of winning the New Jersey Pick 3 lottery. They model the problem by using spinners with 10 numbers and calculate the theoretical probability. They may also use a computer program to randomly generate a million 3-digit numbers and see how close to 1 out of 1000 times their favorite number comes up.