Examines ways to integrate a discussion of lotteries into a lesson on combinatorics and probability to enhance the teaching and learning of number sense. (Author/MKR)

Explains an application of matrix algebra which involves probability matrices and weather predictions. Using probabilities of sunny or cloudy weather students can determine the effect weather on day one will have on subsequent days. (DH)

A random arrangement of two contrasting colors in a 20x20 array is used to facilitate students' understanding of the notions of randomness, independence, and long-run frequency. It can also be used to test some prevalent errors in probabilistic reasoning. Three activities are described. (MNS)

Discusses an experiment for elementary students based on the principle that the faster an object is moving when it is dropped, the greater the distance it will travel away from the drop point. Also discusses concepts of probability and statistics in the experiment and methods of alternative assessment. (Author/MKR)

A three-year research project in England investigated the probability concepts of students aged 11-16. A 26-item test was administered to 2,930 students. The development and test results of one item are presented to illustrate the difficulty of item construction and interpretation. (MNS)

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of two microcomputer instructional games in teaching probability and measurement estimation to 78 preservice elementary school teachers. The probability game did not seem effective, and the estimation game was only marginally effective. Patterns of change are discussed. (MNS)

Presents activities utilized with primary teachers to alleviate instructional concerns about using calculators and provide reasons for using calculators in their mathematics instruction. Activities address the topics of estimation, number sense, numeration, whole number and fraction operations, probability, and problem solving. (MDH)

Illustrates some applications of elementary probability and statistics to epidemiology, the branch of medical science that attempts to discover associations between events, patterns, and the cause of disease in human populations. Uses real-life examples involving cancer's link to smoking and the AIDS virus. (MDH)

Presents four cases of real-world probabilistic situations to promote more effective teaching of probability. Calculates the probability of obtaining six of six different prizes successively in six, seven, eight, and nine boxes of cereal, generalizes the problem to n boxes of cereal, and offers suggestions to extend the problem. (MDH)

Proposes an alternative means of approximating the value of complex integrals, the Monte Carlo procedure. Incorporating a discrete approach and probability, an approximation is obtained from the ratio of computer-generated points falling under the curve to the number of points generated in a predetermined rectangle. (MDH)