Peer reviewed
Direct linkERIC Number: EJ781011
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Dec
Pages: 8
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0025-5769
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Secret Snowflake: Analysis of a Holiday Gift Exchange
Turton, Roger W.
Mathematics Teacher, v101 n5 p332-339 Dec 2007
This article describes several methods from discrete mathematics used to simulate and solve an interesting problem occurring at a holiday gift exchange. What is the probability that two people will select each other's names in a random drawing, and how does this result vary with the total number of participants? (Contains 5 figures.)
Descriptors: Probability, Algebra, Problem Solving, Monte Carlo Methods, Mathematics Education, Mathematics Skills, Mathematical Models, Social Exchange Theory, Simulation, Mathematics Activities
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1502. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-3702; Fax: 703-476-2970; e-mail: orders@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A
