Who Knew?Math-Nuts

Janie, Johnny, Jesse, BobIntroduction to Algebra and Geometry

Fall 2011

Probability is a way to describe the likelihood of something happening.

Events are a happening in which a probability can be assigned.

Events are independent when the outcome of the first event has no effect on the second.◦ Tossing a coin; there is always a ½ chance of

flipping heads. Events are dependent when the outcome of

the first event does effect the second.◦ Drawing a card and not replacing it; when the card

is not replaced the situation changes.

Probability

Scrabble is a word game in which two to four players score points by forming words from individual lettered tiles on a game board marked with a 15-by-15 grid. The words are formed across and down in crossword fashion and must appear in a standard dictionary. The player with the most points at the end of play is declared the winner.

Tiles are drawn from a bag to spell words by the players. Tiles are never replaced in the bag which means there are a finite amount of letters to be played. This demonstrates a continuous, dependent event.

The game would be impossible to play without this element.

Scrabble

The game is played on four grids, two for each player. After all of one player's ships have been sunk, the game ends and the other player wins.

The grids are typically square – usually 10 × 10 – and the individual squares in the grid are identified by letter and number. On one grid the player arranges ships and records the shots by the opponent. On the other grid the player records his own shots. Since each player is allowed to record shots made (hits and misses), the choices for possible position is narrowed and the probability of a hit is raised. Because each guess affects the next, this demonstrates a dependent event.

Recording hits and misses allows for easier play of game and allows a player to calculate the greatest likelihood of position. If you could not record, game play would still be possible, but would be difficult.

Battleship

Goal: Graduate High School Rules

◦ Each player will begin on Freshman Kick off Red Space◦ In turn, players will draw a card from the exams stack of cards and

perform the math problem. If correct, spin spinner and proceed to the next space of that color. If incorrect, stay at current space.

◦ Winner is first person to reach graduation and answer the graduation question.

◦ (Note, each card should be placed in a “burn pile” off of the game board after each question is attempted.)

Both independent and dependent events are used within Math Mazing.◦ Independent Events-Each spin of the spinner does affect the next.◦ Dependent Events-Once each card is drawn, it is not replaced to the

original stack.

Fun for all ages, a Whole New Way to Experience Math!

Math Mazing

Freshman

Kickoff

Sophomore Year

Junior

YearSenior

Year

Graduation

Exam

s

Gra

du

atio

n

Qu

estio

ns

Game Pieces

Math Mazing

Many games could not be played without some probability, so it could be argued probability is at the root of fun.

Math is at the heart of things. I did not know math was found in so many

fun places. Math really can be fun!

Older and Wiser…