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Depends on what the teacher wants to teach. MECC had a good software program out several years ago devoted to probability. One of the best tools is a spreadsheet (ClarisWorks, Excel) For example, enter =RAND(6) in cell A3 and fill down for 10 cells (or 60, or 100, or 600). RAND(6) will put a random integer between 1 and 6 in the cell. Question: Why is 60 or 600 used in this example, which simulates rolling a die? In cell A1 end the number 1 (this will later change to 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) In cell B1 enter =SUM(B3..B12) - this will sum up the number of times the #1 (entered in A1) came up. In cell B3 enter =IF(A3 = A$1,1,0) and fill down to the end of the columns of random numbers. This will put a 1 in the cell if it is the same as the number entered in cell A1, a 0 if it is not. The formula in B1 will count the number of 1's, which is the number of times that the number in A1 came up. Note: the $ in A$1 means that row 1 will always be used. Once the 6 numbers have been tallied (this spreadsheet could easily do all six numbers at one time) the results could be copied and then graphed. Copy and paste the first number in the column that uses the RAND function, then fill down and a new set of results will be obtained. And to think I used to have students sit and roll a die 60 times each as a homework assignment! Ans: If numbers such as 60 or 600 are tested, then the expected results would be 10 (or 100) of each number, which makes it easy for students to relate to. This could be expanded to results with two dice rolls, drawing a card from a deck, flipping a coin, etc. Stay tuned to part 2--- Vincent Jansen <vjansen@glo.be> > >One of our teachers requested a piece of software that will teach >probablility. If anyone in this group has expereince with this kind of >software, I would appreciate a brief recommendation. Craig Nansen If learning is an act of exploration, Technology Coordinator then technology equips the explorer Minot Public Schools for the journey of a lifetime..... Minot, ND 58701 nansen@sendit.NoDak.edu Technology: opening minds with a new set of keys -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technology Coordinators Resource Center - links, humor, articles, quotes http://minot.com/~nansen/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------- EDTECH has changed addresses. The new list address is EDTECH@H-NET.MSU.EDU. All subscription commands should be sent to LISTSERV@H-NET.MSU.EDU.
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