Trick or Treat
Problem
Mrs. Smith had emptied packets of chocolate-covered mice,
plastic frogs and gummi-worms into a cauldron for treats. 
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There were 9 mice, 5 frogs and 4 worms.
Trixie was allowed to dip into the cauldron for a treat but had to do it without peeping. What treat is Trixie most likely to pick out? |
Trixie wanted to be certain of pulling out at least one of each type of the treats. How many times would Trixie need to be able to dip into the cauldron to do this?
If Trixie had pulled out a mouse, would her brother Nick be more likely to pick out a mouse too, or a frog or worm instead?
Getting Started
Trixie is not going to replace the items he picks out from the cauldron.
What will happen if there is the same number of two of the treats? Is he more likely too pick one more than the other?
Will you be able to predict the results if there are three of the same treat?
Do you think every maths problem has just one simple answer?
Student Solutions
Emily and Tristan from St James' School answered the whole problem as follows:
I think the solution to this problem is that the most likly one to pick out is the mice because there are 9 mice and only 5 frogs and 4 worms, also to pick out at least one of each you would need to pick out 15 sweets because the first 9 could be mice and the next 5 you pick out could be frogs and after that you're definitely going to pick out a worm. As well as that if Trixie picked out a mouse there would still be 8 mice left so her brother is still more likely to pick out a mouse.
Well done to Connor from Eastwood Primary, pupils at Girton Glebe Primary, and Samm for also getting all or parts of the solution correct.
Teachers' Resources
Trick or Treat
Mrs. Smith had emptied packets of chocolate-covered mice, plastic frogs and gummi-worms into a cauldron for treats.
Image
|
There were 9 mice, 5 frogs and 4 worms.
Trixie was allowed to dip into the cauldron for a treat but had to do it without peeping. What treat is Trixie most likely to pick out? |
Trixie wanted to be certain of pulling out at least one of each type of the treats. How many times would Trixie need to be able to dip into the cauldron to do this?
If Trixie had pulled out a mouse, would her brother Nick be more likely to pick out a mouse too, or a frog or worm instead?