Racing Game (One Die)
Suggestions
Several games can be based on this applet. Possible math goals of each game
are indicated in parenthesis.
Game 1 (introduction of
multiple-outcome events; set operations; computing particular
probabilities):Set the controls on the applet
in such a way that Player 1 wins if the die shows 1 or 2, and Player 2 wins
if it shows 3, 4, 5, or 6. Also, set the number of steps to two. The game
is not fair. Just how unfair is it? Simulate many games to find out
the chances of each racer winning. Change winning numbers for the racers.
How often do you expect each player to win? Run the program many times. Are
the players winning as often as you expected?
Game 2 (multiple-outcome events;
set operations; probability intuition): Set
the winning numbers so that Player 1 has 1 and 2, and Player 2 has
3, 4, 5, and 6. Now reset the controls so it takes 3 steps to get to the
finish. What happens to the chances of winning? Reset controls to more steps
(4, 5, 10). What happens to the chances of winning now? Why?
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