webquest

LUCKY SEVEN

Introduction

"Not seven again!" cried Callie. "I think you are cheating!"
"Guess I'm just lucky," answered Dustin.
"Mom, is it really luck that he wins so often, or is he cheating?" asked Callie.
"I'm not sure," answered Mom.

When you play a game with dice, is it just luck, or are there some things you know for sure about the results you will get? Many people do not understand the mathematics of probability. The purpose of this webquest is to help you learn the basic principals of probability. The more you know about probability, the better your chances are of winning many games that are based on probability!

Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Teacher Page

Task

Working with a partner you will:

Visit a website to read/discuss some of the basics about probability. Participate in some probability experiments at this website.
Conduct a probability experiment.
Analyze probability experiments.
Determine if a game is "fair".
Design a game that demonstrates your understanding of probability.

Process

Visit Mrs. Glosser's Math Goodies. Here, you will find a lesson on probability. Read and discuss the definitions with your partner. Learn the formula that is used for finding the probability of an event. Participate in the probability experiments. See how much you have learned! Answer the questions in the exercise at the end.

If you roll two regular dice 30 times, then add the numbers rolled, what do you think you will roll most often? Predict the sum. Now experiment. Roll both dice and add the two numbers rolled. Record the sum. Do this 30 times. Then tally the total number of times for each sum. How close was your prediction to what happened?

Complete the chart by adding the top and side numbers to fill each box. How many boxes are in the chart? This number represents the total number of possible outcomes. How many boxes contain a sum of seven in the chart? This number represents the number of ways a seven can occur. What is the probability of rolling a seven? Is seven really lucky? Discuss your ideas with your partner.

Have you ever played Rock, Paper, Scissors? This ancient game is played all over the world. On the count of three, two players simultaneously display one hand with either a fist (stone), an open hand (paper), or with two fingers forming a V (scissors). The winner of the game is decided by the following rules. Scissors cut paper. Paper wraps rock. Rock breaks scissors. If both player pick the same object, the round is a draw. Play 20 rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Tally the number of times each player wins. To analyze the game, make a chart of all of the possible outcomes. How many different outcomes are possible? How many ways can Player 1 win? How many ways can Player 2 win? How many outcomes are a draw?

What makes a game fair or unfair? In a fair game, each player plays by the rules and has an equal chance of winning. With your partner, think of ways in which one player can have an unfair advantage in a game. For example, a basketball game in which the hoops are set at different heights is an unfair game. Think about the Rock, Scissors, Paper game. Is it a fair game? Look back at your outcomes to explain your answer.

Design a game of probability. Be sure to include the following elements: title of your game, game components, directions so others can play, list of rules, and an explanation of why your game is fair.

Evaluation

Probability Evaluation

4	Clear evidence of understanding what probability is. The game design and directions exhibit knowledge of probability. All elements of game design and directions are covered.
3	Sufficient evidence of understanding probability. The game design and directions indicate knowledge of probability.
2	Inconsistent evidence of understanding probability. The game design and directions show little understanding of probability.
1	Insufficient evidence of understanding probability is show in the game design or results found in tasks.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you have completed this probability webquest! You have learned the basic principles of probability.
Throughout this webquest, you have been engaged in several games of chance and even created a game of your own. I hope you will begin to consider that many things you may have thought were simply a matter of "luck" actually have a much more factual basis in the realm of mathematics.

Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Teacher Page

Teacher Page

This webquest is designed for students in sixth and seventh grades. The students are to work in partners. After completing the tasks, students will understand the concept of probability and the basic probability formula. Also, students will be able to predict the possible outcomes of an event and determine if a game is fair.

North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Mathematics:
Grade 6 Goal 4 Obj. 4.7, 4.9
Grade 7 Goal 4 Obj. 4.7, 4.8, 4.9

Additional Resources:
Dr. Math's Archives
Probability Lesson Index
Awesome Library

Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Teacher Page

Email Addresses

Kim Spurling

Christy Bowman