Variability

Mathematics in Context Grade 8
Great Expectations
Variability

Activities (8)

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

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

Review the properties of functions by looking at ten different curves and deciding whether or not they meet the criteria for a graph of a function. This activity simply displays the curves - it does not quiz the user.

Audiences: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Primary Subjects: Algebra, Discrete

Related Topics: coordinate plane, function properties, functions, graph, linear functions, lines, pre-calculus, vertical line test

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

Simulate a game where two players each roll a die, and the lucky player moves one step to the finish. Parameters: what rolls win and how many steps to the finish line.

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

Primary Subjects: Discrete, Probability

Related Topics: circle graph, events, experimental probability, fair, geometric probability, percents, pie chart, probability, probability simulation, random number, theoretical probability, trials

Simulate a game where "N" players roll two dice, and the lucky player has an advantage for reaching the finish. Parameters: the number of players, number of trials and length of the race.

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

Primary Subjects: Discrete, Probability

Related Topics: combinatorics, experimental probability, fair, outcomes, probability, probability simulation, random number, theoretical probability, trials