Activity Description Experiment with probability using a fixed size section spinner, a variable section spinner, two regular 6-sided dice or customized dice. Appropriate for elementary grades.

Shodor Interactivate utilizes JavaScript technology, you must enable it to effectively use our site.

If you wish to leave JavaScript disabled, you may attempt to view the activity. Here is some additional information about this activity that may not be accessible without JavaScript.

Experimental Probability

Place in mathematics curriculum:

This activity can be used to:

• give students experience generating sets of data using random number generators.
• manipulate random number generators to see the effects on experimental probabilities.

This activity allows the user to experiment with various random number generator models such as spinners and number cubes and tally results. This activity would work well in groups of 2-3 for about 45 minutes.

Preparations for this activity:

• answer the question "Why does my experimental probability not equal my theoretical probability?"
• discuss the difference between experimental and theoretical probablity
• discuss how to determine the experimental probability