Fun With Math – Probability

Create your own probability experiment.  Choose some objects that you can use to test probability.  Two sides of a coin, different colored socks, pasta shapes or whatever you have handy.

Draw a grid to record your results.  You can repeat your test as many times as you choose, but I recommend a number that is a multiple of 100 so that your results can easily be converted into a percentage (20, 25, 50 or 100 would be good choices).

Now record the actual probability of your chosen pool.  If you were flipping a coin, the actual probability would be 1/2 or 50%.  If you are pulling socks from a paper bag and you have 30 socks, 10 red, 10 black and 10 white, your probability would be 1/3 or 33%.  (More advanced learners may choose to mix up the odds for this example and have 12 red, 4 black and 14 white, for example.)

Now run your trials.  (If you have chosen objects to pull from a paper bag, remember to return the pulled-out item back to the bag each time and shake them up again.  If you do not return the item, then your odds are changed.)  How close did you come to the mathematical odds?