Objective 
13 Distinguish between experimental and theoretical probability for single events.
Problem
  Jessica rolled her die 20 times and kept track of the values rolled in a list. A net for Jessia's die is shown. What is the theoretical probability of rolling a one? What is the experimental probability of rolling a one?

 

Manipulative
  Materials: event cards, overhead spinner, spinner mat (1-4), regular six-sided die, 4 beans, paper cup, coin, paper bag (containing 5 blue, 3 red and 2 yellow tiles), deck of cards (A to 10 in one suit).

  • Draw an event card.
  • Calculate the theoretical and experimental probabilities.
  • Construct or write another event with the same theoretical probability.
  • Check to see if it has the same experimental probability.
  • Repeat.

  • Write a sentence to explain the difference between experimental and theoretical probabilities.
Game
  Materials: die cutouts.

  • Construct a die like the one shown.
  • If you were to roll this die 6 times, how many would you expect?
  • Each player rolls the die 6 times. Score the same number of points as the difference between the theoretical outcomes and the actual outcomes. In this case, we would expect 5 to show up 3 times, so if you rolled a 5 either two or four times, score one point, etc.
  • Play several rounds, low score wins.
Adaptations:
  • Vary the number of sides with a '5' on it.
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