Experimental probability

article
The Mean Game

Edward Wallace based his A Level Statistics Project on The Mean Game. Each picks 2 numbers. The winner is the player who picks a number closest to the mean of all the numbers picked.
article
Taking Chances Extended

This article, for students and teachers, is mainly about probability, the mathematical way of looking at random chance.
article
The Random World

Think that a coin toss is 50-50 heads or tails? Read on to appreciate the ever-changing and random nature of the world in which we live.
problem

Coin Tossing Games

Age

14 to 16

Challenge level

You and I play a game involving successive throws of a fair coin. Suppose I pick HH and you pick TH. The coin is thrown repeatedly until we see either two heads in a row (I win) or a tail followed by a head (you win). What is the probability that you win?
problem

Win or Lose?

Age

14 to 16

Challenge level

A gambler bets half the money in his pocket on the toss of a coin, winning an equal amount for a head and losing his money if the result is a tail. After 2n plays he has won exactly n times. Has he more money than he started with?
problem

Taking Chances

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

This article, for students and teachers, is mainly about probability, the mathematical way of looking at random chance and is a shorter version of Taking Chances Extended.
problem

Can't Find a Coin?

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

Can you generate a set of random results? Can you fool the random simulator?
problem
Favourite

Domino Pick

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Are these domino games fair? Can you explain why or why not?
problem

Two and One

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Terry and Ali are playing a game with three balls. Is it fair that Terry wins when the middle ball is red?
problem
Favourite

In the Playground

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

What can you say about the child who will be first on the playground tomorrow morning at breaktime in your school?