Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Plinko Probability

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

7

Overview

In this PhET activity, students will drop balls through a triangular grid of pegs and see them accumulate in containers. Switch to a histogram view and compare the distribution of balls to an ideal binomial distribution. Adjust the binary probability and develop your knowledge of statistics! This activity could be used to help teach a lesson on probability. This Phet activity can be downloaded and assigned to Google Classroom.

    Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 7

    MA19.7.14

    Define and develop a probability model, including models that may or may not be uniform, where uniform models assign equal probability to all outcomes and non-uniform models involve events that are not equally likely.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:MA19.7.14

    Vocabulary

    • Probability model
    • Uniform model
    • non-uniform model
    • observed frequencies

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • the probability of any single event can be expressed using terminology like impossible, unlikely, likely, or certain or as a number between 0 and 1, inclusive, with numbers closer to 1 indicating greater likelihood.
    • A probability model is a visual display of the sample space and each corresponding probability
    • probability models can be used to find the probability of events.
    • A uniform probability model has equally likely probabilities.
    • Sample space and related probabilities should be used to determine an appropriate probability model for a random circumstance.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • make predictions before conducting probability experiments, run trials of the experiment, and refine their conjectures as they run additional trials.
    • Collect data on the chance process that produces an event.
    • Use a developed probability model to find probabilities of events.
    • Compare probabilities from a model to observed frequencies
    • Develop a probability model (which may not be uniform) by observing frequencies in data generated from a chance process.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • long-run frequencies tend to approximate theoretical probability.
    • predictions are reasonable estimates and not exact measures.
    Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 7 - Grade 7 Accelerated

    MA19.7A.30

    Define and develop a probability model, including models that may or may not be uniform, where uniform models assign equal probability to all outcomes and non-uniform models involve events that are not equally likely.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:MA19.7A.30

    Vocabulary

    • Probability model
    • Uniform model
    • non-uniform model
    • observed frequencies

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • the probability of any single event can be expressed using terminology like impossible, unlikely, likely, or certain or as a number between 0 and 1, inclusive, with numbers closer to 1 indicating greater likelihood.
    • A probability model is a visual display of the sample space and each corresponding probability.
    • probability models can be used to find the probability of events.
    • A uniform probability model has equally likely probabilities.
    • Sample space and related probabilities should be used to determine an appropriate probability model for a random circumstance.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • make predictions before conducting probability experiments, run trials of the experiment, and refine their conjectures as they run additional trials.
    • Collect data on the chance process that produces an event.
    • Use a developed probability model to find probabilities of events.
    • Compare probabilities from a model to observed frequencies
    • Develop a probability model (which may not be uniform) by observing frequencies in data generated from a chance process.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • long-run frequencies tend to approximate theoretical probability.
    • predictions are reasonable estimates and not exact measures.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Learning Activity

    Resource Provider

    PhET
    Accessibility
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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