The presentation presents a box containing m white balls and n black balls. Students are asked to explore the probability that if two balls are chosen consecutively, without replacement, the two balls are the same colour. A spreadsheet simulating the situation is provided to enable students to experiment. The...

This excel program illustrates the effect of introducing bias when throwing coins.

The first interactive excel sheet simulates the outcome of throwing a coin ten times. The probability of each outcome is plotted and...

Students are presented with a normal six sided dice students and are asked to show that the probability of two events 'the score is odd' and 'the score is prime' are not independent. Students are then given conditions for the probabilities of the scores on a biased dice and are challenged to discover if it is now...

This activity involves the quest to show whether two events are independent. Students are required to use a Venn diagram and to apply logic to find all possible combinations of values within the diagram and thus calculate the probability of event A and event B being independent events. The answer provides a full...

In this activity students explore the probability involved in a particular game involving some special dice. The aim is to explain the reasons behind their findings when playing the game using some straightforward mathematics. Students are required to be familiar with...

In this activity Colin and Phil take it in turns to roll a dice. The winner is the first to throw a six. Students are asked to investigate conditional probability to find the probability of each player winning and hence determine whether the game is fair. The presentation provides a complete solution before...

In this activity students are presented with a variety of information regarding the number of students who study mathematics and/or physics. Students are asked to use this information to complete a Venn diagram. A complete solution to the problem is explained before a series of related challenges are posed...

Students are challenges to estimate the probability that if two dominoes are picked, at random, from a standard pack of dominoes that at least one number on each domino will match. The simulation on sheet one is then used to generate experimental results to predict whether their estimation is supported. Sheet two...

A Catalyst article about the human gut and the many microbes it hosts, mainly bacteria. Probiotics are live bacterial ingredients or supplements designed to multiply in the colon and have an impact on health. A prebiotic is a carbohydrate that is not digestible by humans. The article examines the role they play,...

This collection, part of the Nuffield Mathematics Project, contains two packs of problem cards that have been designed for use by students in conjunction with the main work
described in the Teachers' Guides. It is intended that the majority of students should at least be able to 'have a go' at most of the...

In this Bowland assessment task, students interpret a graph to give advice upon whether the age gap between couples is acceptable or whether it is too large. Students use equations of straight lines and inequalities to help them reply to queries sent to the problem page. They are then asked to comment upon trends...

This sample of the Badger series on maths problem solving and investigative practice is in line with the Key Stage Three Strategy and Framework approach. This sample includes problems involving percentages and shape & space.

Problem Solved involves students in their maths with plenty of interactive work...