A treasure has been placed in one of two rooms, A or B.
You will begin your search for the treasure at START and randomly wander down
pathways.
Is it more likely that you will end up in Room A or Room B?
Is the probability of ending up in Room A equal to the
probability you will end up in Room B?
What is the probability that you will end up
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in Room A
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in Room B
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To determine the probabilities you will simulate wandering down the paths and use your graphing calculator or some random
generator to decide which path the
you will follow.
Run 36 simulations. Each simulation will represent you
beginning at the start and ending up in either room A or room B. At each intersection decide if you need to generate 2 or 3
choices. Record the number of trials and whether you end
up arriving at Room A or Room B. Also record with doorway you entered the
room using the second chart. Record a tally mark to show where you
entered room A or B. Estimate the probability of entering the room through that
door.
At the conclusion of the simulation estimate the theoretical
probability ending up in Room A or Room B. Estimate the theoretical
probability of entering by each doorway 1 - 5.
Compile the class results for the simulations and again
estimate the theoretical probability of ending up in Room A
or Room B.
Record the class totals at the entrance to each room.
Estimate the classes theoretical probability of entering the room through that door.
Consider the paths of the maze and determine how you can find
the theoretical probability of ending up in Room A or Room
B.
Shade in the 6 x 6 grid below to illustrate the probability of
ending up in Room A or Room B depending upon the paths traveled.
As students develop an understanding for finding the
probability they could be asked to tell how the probabilities would be different
for a new modified maze.
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