Probability

  • problem

    Winning the Lottery

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    Find out about the lottery that is played in a far-away land. What is the chance of winning?

  • A Bit of a Dicey problem
    problem

    A Bit of a Dicey Problem

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star

    When you throw two regular, six-faced dice you have more chance of getting one particular result than any other. What result would that be? Why is this?

  • Stop or Dare
    game

    Stop or Dare

    Age
    7 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    All you need for this game is a pack of cards. While you play the game, think about strategies that will increase your chances of winning.

  • Twenty20
    game

    Twenty20

    Age
    7 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Fancy a game of cricket? Here is a mathematical version you can play indoors without breaking any windows.
  • Game of PIG - Sixes
    game

    Game of Pig - Sixes

    Age
    7 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    Can you beat Piggy in this simple dice game? Can you figure out Piggy's strategy, and is there a better one?

  • A Brief History of Probability
    problem

    A Brief History of Probability

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    Can you help d'Alembert discover the probabilty of at least one head in two coin flips?

  • Snail Trails
    game

    Snail Trails

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    This is a game for two players. Does it matter where the target is put? Is there a good strategy for winning?
  • Handling Data - Short Problems
    problem

    Strange Dice

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    If two of these unusually numbered dice are thrown, how many different sums are possible?

  • Master Minding
    problem

    Master Minding

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    Your partner chooses two beads and places them side by side behind a screen. What is the minimum number of guesses you would need to be sure of guessing the two beads and their positions?