![]() It was a simple but fun hands-on activity and a nice foundational activity for talking more about statistics. They knew that the odds of drawing an even-numbered card are 1 in 2 (if you count the face cards as odd or even based on their "number" in the sequence from 1-13), but does it really work out that way? Does it work out that way enough of the time to make probability make sense?Īfter each did their trials, we figured up the percentages and compared them to the mathematical odds we'd already deduced at the outset. Whoever can match the same number or suit that is on the first card may play first. In the remaining deck, one card is flipped over to begin play. With a younger group of students, your approach might be different, and the entire activity might be revelatory rather than a proving ground.įor these kids, fairly well versed in games like gin rummy, spades, and hearts, the activity was a way of putting the math to the test. The object of the game is to get rid of all the cards you are dealt. There is also a family-friendly adaptation of the project at Scientific American in the Bring Science Home area.īecause of the age range of the kids I had on hand, and their differing levels of interest in, and comfort with, math, we talked first about what we already "knew" about the odds of drawing different types of cards (or specific card numbers), and they each marked their data charts with the odds of drawing each different number or type of card based on the pure math at hand. One thing to keep in mind about card games is that many games are called by several different names. These card games are perfect for family gatherings, camping trips, holidays, and more. The Science Buddies Project Idea is one with a low level of difficulty, a project geared toward younger students. These are games to play with a deck of cards that kids can learn and families can play together. Over the summer, I set a few kids of varying ages up with a deck of cards each and put them to the task of "testing" what they know about probability in relation to a deck of cards to see how well the "chance" of drawing a certain kind of card holds up.īecause the goal was a short family math activity, we used the "Pick a Card, Any Card" project as a guide and foundation. ![]() ![]() But, based on the math, it is probable, or likely, that you will. Just because your odds of drawing a red jack are 1 in x, it doesn't mean that if you draw x cards you are guaranteed to draw a red jack. The interesting thing about probability is that it is exactly that, a measurement of what is "likely" based on the math of the situation. What are the odds that you will draw a face card? How about a two? One-eyed jack? How likely is it that you will draw an ace from a full deck of cards? Depending on your age, this is simple math. Using these simple facts about a deck of cards, many math questions and scenarios rise to the surface!
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