Data Session 8, Part B: Mathematical Probability

Session 8, Part B:
Mathematical Probability

In This Part: Predicting Outcomes | Fair or Unfair? | Outcomes | Finding the Winner
Making a Probability Table

Now let's take a look at the sums of the possible outcomes for the two dice: Note 5

Sums of Possible Outcomes

Red Die

Blue Die

+

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Remember the rules of the game:

•
Player A wins when the sum is 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, or 12.

•
Player B wins when the sum is 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.

Problem B5

a.
For how many of the 36 outcomes will Player A win?

b.
For how many of the 36 outcomes will Player B win?

c.
Who is more likely to win this game?

Colored pencils may be helpful in highlighting which player wins each time. One important fact that is useful here is that each of the 36 outcomes is equally likely, and it is appropriate to assign a probability of 1/36 to each outcome. Close Tip


Problem B6
Change the rules of the game in some way that makes it equally likely for Player A or Player B to win.

Next > Part B (Continued): Making a Probability Table

Session 8: Index | Notes | Solutions | Video