Simple Chance Experiments
Conduct simple probability experiments — flipping a coin, rolling a die, pulling coloured counters from a bag — record results, and compare experimental outcomes with expected theoretical outcomes
What a learner can do afterwards
- Flip a coin 20 times, record heads and tails in a tally chart, and describe what they notice about the results
- Roll a die 30 times and compare how often each number came up with what they expected
- Pull counters from a bag, record results, and explain whether the outcomes matched their prediction
The lesson
A chance experiment is something you do over and over, like flipping a coin or rolling a die, then write down what happens each time. You already know how to guess whether something is likely or unlikely. Now you get to test that guess against real results.
Ben rolls a die 30 times. He expects each number to land about 5 times, since a die has six sides. His tally shows the 4 landed 8 times, but the 2 only landed 2 times. Some numbers matched his guess closely, others didn't. That's normal. Real experiments rarely match your expectation exactly.
Every time you repeat a chance experiment, your results might come out a little different. The more times you try it, the closer your results usually get to what you expected.
A chance experiment lets you test what you expect against what really happens.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.