2. Experimental vs. Theoretical Probability Mathematics Grade 7 Jennifer Smith February 26, 2009

3. What is “supposed” to happen Theoretical Probability - review Theoretical Probability 3 Ways to Write Probability Fractions 1/4 Decimals.25 Percents 25%

4. Experimental Probability Also known as Empirical Probability Proving the Theory Experimental probability is actually flipping a coin, spinning a spinner, or rolling a dice then recording the results You carry out an "experiment" to find out what will happen

5. Conducting the Experiment In Class Group Assignment 1. Determine the probability for landing on each section (color) of the spinner. 2. Make a chart and record how many times a spin lands on each color. First for 5 spins then for 25 spins 3. Comp are and contr ast the exper iment al and theor etical proba bility on the back of your works heet.

6. Take Home Assignment Instructions: –Visit the Adjustable Spinner websiteAdjustable Spinner –Adjust the provided spinner to match the spinner from the experiment (example)example –Enter different numbers of spins to see how many it takes to get as close as possible to the theory –Interpret and explain your data in paragraph form –Due March 3 rd

7. Adjustable Spinner

8. What Did We Learn?

9. Credits Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers, 4 th Edition, Tom Bassarear, Houghton Mifflin Company http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-probabil.html http://fc.bryanisd.org/~jgreen/?OpenItemURL=S0546D94C www.youtube.com Spinner image designed by Jenn Smith