Uses probability models in problem-solving activities based on an episode of the television show "Gunsmoke." (MKR)

Describes a study to determine middle school children's representational strategies to form part-whole or part-part relationships for relational numbers such as proportions, ratios, or fractions. Quantitative and qualitative analysis revealed that children prefer a part-part representation to solve relational quantity problems. (15 references)…

Described is a strategy that allows students to experiment with probability without applying formulas to solve problems. Students are able to intuitively develop concepts of probability before formal definitions and properties. Sample problems are included along with BASIC programs for some of the problems. (KR)

Discusses a problem involving probability and uncertainty that students can investigate experimentally or theoretically and transforms the problem to a two-player game so that students can be introduced to some fundamental concepts of decision making. Includes computer programs used to analyze the problems. (MKR)

Presents a game in which if player is playing a match of this game with an opponent, at each step in the game he has to decide whether to continue or to stop. Helps students to develop a strategy for making such a decision based on the expected gain and related probabilities. (Author/ASK)

This study examined the effects of number of illustrative examples and number of practice problems given on seventh graders' achievement in a unit on probability. Four treatment groups were used, one for each combination of two levels of number of examples and two levels of number of practice problems. Prior to treatment students were pretested on…

Five activity lessons are proposed to present applications of probability and to exhibit its use in conjunction with statistics as a major decision-making and problem-solving tool. (MP)

Forty-eight students with no previous exposure to probability or statistics read one of three textbooks that varied in emphasis placed on rote and conceptual learning of basic elementary probability concepts. Findings, among others, show students who read textbooks emphasizing conceptual learning tended to be less sensitive to surface features.…

A problem from a course called "Introduction to Gambling" is described. A flowchart and a computer program are included. (MNS)

Describes the development of a curriculum to improve problem- solving ability when faced with uncertainty by (1) encouraging students to examine their thought processes, (2) presenting fallacious arguments, and (3) providing better tools for decision making. Relevant psychological research, some problems of teacher training, and a small-scale…

A model of competition probabilities using past performances of competitors against common opponents is constructed. Application to predicting victories in athletic competitions is also reviewed. (MP)

Presents the problem of points and the development of the binomial triangle, or Pascal's triangle. Examines various attempts to solve this problem to give students insight into the nature of mathematical discovery. (KHR)

Presents a problem-solving activity, the birth order problem, and several solution-seeking strategies. Includes responses of current and prospective teachers and a comparison of various strategies. (YDS)

The on-off settings of a series of eight switches determines the code to open garage doors. Presented are two problems asking the probability that two people would have the same garage door opener code or whether a specific person would have the same code as another person in the neighborhood. (MDH)

The history of the journal "Esercitazioni Matematiche" (1921-43) edited by the "Circolo Matematico di Catania" for university students is described. A selection of proposed problems with some of their solutions is reported. (Author)