Investigation Three: Using Spinners to Predict Chance

Students learn about how probability can be represented using geometry.

Audiences: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Primary Subjects: Discrete, Geometry, Probability

Related Topics: angles, area, circle graph, circles, counting, decimals, degrees, estimation, events, experimental probability, fair, geometric probability, geometry, length, outcomes, percents, polygon, polyhedra, probability, probability simulation, random number, right angle, spinner, statistics, theoretical probability, volume

Students run a simulation of how a fire will spread through a stand of trees, learning about probability and chaos. Parameters: Forest density, wind direction, size of forest.

Audiences: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Undergraduate

Primary Subjects: Discrete, Fractions, Modeling, Probability

Related Topics: agent modeling, chaos, conditional probability, experimental probability, iteration, percentages, percents, probability simulation, proportion, simulation, skewed distribution, variance

Create a game spinner with variable sized sectors to look at experimental and theoretical probabilities. Parameters: Sizes of sectors, number of sectors, number of trials.

Audiences: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Primary Subjects: Discrete, Fractions, Probability, Statistics

Related Topics: angles, circle graph, circles, counting, decimals, events, experimental probability, fair, geometric probability, outcomes, percentages, percents, pie chart, probability simulation, simulation, spinner, statistics, theoretical probability

Create a game spinner with one to twelve sectors in order to look at experimental and theoretical probabilities. Parameters: Number of sectors, number of trials.

Audiences: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Primary Subjects: Discrete, Fractions, Probability, Statistics

Related Topics: angles, circle graph, circles, events, experimental probability, fair, geometric probability, outcomes, percents, pie chart, probability, probability simulation, spinner, theoretical probability, theoretical value, trials

Determine the value of two fractions you have chosen (which are represented as points on a number line). Then find a fraction whose value is between your two fractions (using an arrow on the number line as a guide) and determine its value. Bounded Fraction Pointer is one of the Interactivate assessment explorers.

Audiences: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8

Primary Subjects: Fractions, Number and Operations

Related Topics: comparing, fractions, number line, ordering, rational numbers

Experiment with probability using a fixed size section spinner, a variable section spinner, two regular 6-sided dice or customized dice.

Audiences: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Primary Subjects: Discrete, Probability, Statistics

Related Topics: circles, events, experimental probability, fair, fractions, geometric probability, outcomes, percentages, probability simulation, random number, simulation, spinner, statistics, theoretical probability, theoretical value, trials

Experiment with a simple ecosystem consisting of grass, rabbits, and wolves, learning about probabilities, chaos, and simulation.

Audiences: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Primary Subjects: Calculus, Graphs, Modeling, Probability, Statistics

Related Topics: agent modeling, calculus, chaos, graph, iteration, pattern, predator-prey, probability simulation, random number, simulation, statistics