Racing Game (Two Dice)
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 sum of the dice is 5, and Player
2 wins if it is 7. Also, set the number of steps to one. The game is not
fair. Just how unfair is it? Simulate many games to find out the chances
of each racer winning. Change the 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): Reset
the controls so it takes two steps to get to the finish instead of one step,
as in Game 1. What happens to the chances of winning? Reset controls to more
steps (4, 5, 10). What happens to the chances of winning? Why?
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