Probability

Access the video where Teacher Troy teaches us about probability.

Teacher Troy experimented with probability games. Think about what you have learned about probability.

Throughout the Learning Activity, record your thoughts digitally, orally, or in print.

Probability

Teacher Troy taught us about probability.

Probability is the likelihood that something will happen.

We describe the likelihood of something happening using mathematical words such as:

• certain
• possible
• impossible

Events that are possible can fall anywhere between certain and impossible.

Events that are certain to happen are on the far right of the continuum (line).

Events that will never happen or are impossible are on the far left of the continuum (line) (e.g., rolling a zero on a number cube that is numbered 1 to 6).

Take one: Experimenting with probability

Let’s do a probability experiment!

You will need:

• a bag that does not show the items inside
• 3 items of the same size; two of those items should be the same (for example, one eraser and two paper clips)

Put all three items in the bag.

You will choose one item each time. In the bag in the example, there is one eraser and 2 paper clips. When you reach into the bag and choose an item, it could be a paper clip, or it could be an eraser.

Take one item from the bag and record the event (the item you picked).

Now place the item back into the bag.

Select one item from the bag again and record the results. Once you have recorded the result, put the item back in the bag.

Keep reaching into the bag and choosing an item and recording your results a total of 10 times.

You can use the Paper Clip and Eraser Probability printable and fillable document, your own notebook, or a voice recorder to record your results.

Each time you choose an item, what is the probability that you will choose a paper clip?

What is the probability you will choose an eraser?

Is it possible, impossible, or certain that you will select a paper clip on your first try? How do you know?

Where do you think these events fall on the probability line?

If you were playing this game with someone else and they pulled out a paper clip more times than you did, would the game be fair? Why or why not?

Take two: Experimenting with probabilty

In this task you can choose to design a six-sided die or label a set of 6 cards.

Option 1: Six-sided die

Add apples and bananas on your die.

You will have two apples: one apple on two sides of the 6-sided die. You will also have four bananas: one banana on each of the four sides that are left of the 6-sided die. It does not matter on which side you place the apples or the bananas.

In your game, you will be rolling the die and recording results.

Option 2: Labelling cards

You will make a set of six cards. Two of the cards will have apples and four of the cards will have bananas.

You can use the following printable Six-sided Die document to access a cut out of paper die that you can use to create your die.

If you wish to create a set of 6 cards, you can download the printable Set of Cards document.

If you are using the die, you will roll your die and record the result of your roll. You can make your own table or use Chart of Recording Rolls of The Die: Apples or Bananas table provided.

How many apples and how many bananas did you roll or flip each time? Count the number of apples and bananas that you rolled or flipped.

What did you notice?

If you are using cards, place the cards face down in a pile and flip over the first card.

Record your results.

You can make your own table or use Recording Cards Flipped: Apples or Bananas table provided.

Use the following questions to reflect on experimenting with probability. Record your responses using a method of your choice.

• Did you roll or flip one fruit more often than another? Why do you think this happened?
• Is this die or pack of cards fair? Why or why not?
• Where would you place the likelihood of rolling or flipping an apple on the probability continuum (line)? Why?
• Where would you place the likelihood of rolling or flipping a banana on the probability continuum (line)? Why?
• If the person with the most bananas is the winner, is the game fair? Why or why not?

Spinning with probability

Spinner game

You are going to create your own probability game using materials of your choice. For example, you can create a spinner game by using:

• a piece of paper
• a paper clip
• a pen or a pencil
• a pair of scissors

With your pen or pencil, draw a circle, or you can use the following printable Spinner Circle document to cut the circle.

Split the circle into at least 3 sections. You can choose any 3 items, animals, places, etc. to fill in one word in each section.

Is your game fair or unfair? Think about how you described your spinner to help you decide.

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity?  Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.