Introduction

Probability and statistics is a part every person's life sooner or later. Whether it is who will be voted as class president or student council, or how many people will vote in the next presidential election in the United States. Probability and statistics can be used to help predict what is going to happen in these types of events as well. Scientists and analysts are not the only ones that use probability and statistics. The regular public uses it as well; even young children use it.

Young children use probability and statistics to figure out what toy might be pulled out of the toy box next, or what snack will be given to them next. A little older students use these methods to figure out things like the statistics of their favorite basketball player or favorite baseball player. Adults might use these methods to figure out statistics and probability dealing with the stock market or something else that deals with their jobs.

The Quest

What are probability and statistics and what are some ways that you can think of that probability and statistics are used?

The Process and Resources

In this Webquest, the class will be divided into groups of two. Each group will follow the Webquest to each web site and complete the task at hand. They will answer the questions from the Webquest on a piece of paper to be handed in. When finished each individual from the class will reflect on how the Webquest helped them better understand probability and statistics overall.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions that are listed for each task. These questions should remind you of the class discussions that we have had over the past two weeks. This is a good chance for you to put to use what you have already learned.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Every group will need to visit each of the websites below in order to answer the questions.


2. The answers will need to be turned in when the Webquest is complete.


3. Within each website the different fields that can be adjusted will need to be adjusted to be able to look at the difference that it makes in the outcomes of each task.

Understand Experimental Probability and Theoretical Probability

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to understanding experimental probability and theoretical probability:

1. What happens when the spinners are changed to different ones?. What happens when the number of spins are changed?

2. What happens when the race segments are dropped to two? How does changing the field of which car moves on affect the outcomes? What happens when the number of runs in increased?

3. Compare and contrast the experimental and theoretical probabilities when the different fields are changed in different ways.

4.

• Understanding Experimental Probability - Students choose a spinner to use, click the 'SPIN' and check the results. Students can choose from different spinners as well as a number cube to roll.
• Racing Game With One Die - A simulated racing game where a car moves depending on which number is rolled on the dice. Every option can be chosen by the student.
• Racing Game With Two Dice - Students choose a 'lucky player' in which they move one more step than everyone else during the race. Students can choose the number of players and the length of the race.
• Experimental and Theoretical Probability - Students set up their own spinner however they want to and also choose how many spins they want to use. Then they look at the results and compare between experimental and theoretical probabilities. The students can change the size of the spinner and the number of spins.
• Adjustable Spinner Experiment - Students can change the size of the sections within the spinner which will change the theoretical probability. Students can also adjust the number of sections on the spinner as well as the number of spins.

Understand How to Create Stem and Leaf Plots and Histograms

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to understanding how to create stem and leaf plots and histograms:

1. How does the mean, median, and modes change when the data is vaired?

2. How does the histogram itself change when the data is changed?

• Stem and Leaf Plotter - Students enter their own collected data into a table which creates a stem and leaf plot. Then the students practice finding mean, median, and modes. They can change their data to see how it affects the plot.
• Histogram Maker - Students enter data into a table and it creates a histogram. Students can change the data and see how it affects the histogram from before.

Understand Sample Space

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to understanding sample space:

1. How does the theoretical probability change when the marble info changes?

2. How does the experimental probability change when the marble info is changed and the trials are ran?

3. What difference does it make if the oder matters or not?

4. What difference does it make if the marbles are replaced or not?

• Exploring Sample Space and Frequency Tables With Marbles - Students set up the situation in any way they want to. Then when they perform the experiment they look at how the different data affects the outcomes of the experiment.

Understand Frequency Tables and Line Plots

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to understanding frequency tables and line plots:

1. How does the graph change when more, or different data is entered?

2. How does the graph change when the other fields are vaired with different data?

• Frequency Table and Line Plot - Students enter data and the data is made into a frequency table. The data is set up so that the students can see the data like a line plot as well.

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

As you can see, probability and statistics can be used in many different parts of everyday life. Almost anything can be put into some type of statistical graph or data or some type of situation that can be looked at and studied. This data can also be used in looking at what might happen or what could happen. In the above Webquest, think about how all of these things were used for each task.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

Now that you and your partner have completed the Webquest, it is time to put into affect what you have learned. In a one-page paper each student in the class should write what they think probability and statistics are and what are some ways that they are used today?

1. Use examples that you came across in the Webquest as well as real life examples that you have experienced.

2. Give background information that shows you understand the topic.


3. Each response should be emailed to this e-mail address: cmprui0825@ngcsu.edu

Your Contact is: Chuck Pruitt

Conclusion

As you can see by completing the Webquest, probability and statistics are used in many ways. You should realize how probability and statistics are used in events like voting for a class president or student council. You should also realize how these are used for the voting for presidential elections and events like that. Also how probability and statistics are used in keeping ones favorite sports figure's stats for a game or even for the whole season.

These types of events can all be looked at from a probability and statistical perspective. All of these events can also be studied through probability and statistical measures by using tables and graphs. I hope that everyone enjoyed each and every activity throughout the Webquest.