Spinner, Math, Probability

Spinner, Math, Probability

Once before the time of “fidget spinners,” a spinner was frequently used to model random processes for student to feel the idea of uncertainty, data trends, and mathematical structures. Or, perhaps, this mathematical spinner can also serve the purpose of “fidgeting”?

The board by default has a diameter of 80mm, with both numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and letters (A, B, C, D, E, F). The pointer is designed to be a bit loose for easy spinning and removal.

Here are a few questions for students to explore:
(1). How likely does one get an even number?
(2). What is the probability that one gets a prime number?
(3). If I spin twice, how likely do I get a sum of 8?
(4). If I spin five times, what is the probability do I get ALL prime numbers?
(5) What is the probability does one get a vowel?

Reference:

Bu, L. & Fernandez, M. https://www.maa.org/external_archive/joma/Volume7/Bu/Spinner.html

Once before the time of “fidget spinners,” a spinner was frequently used to model random processes for student to feel the idea of uncertainty, data trends, and mathematical structures, along with dice.

The board by default has a diameter of 80mm, with both numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and letters (A, B, C, D, E, F).

Lesson Plan and Activity
Pose a few questions about numbers, sum/difference of numbers, or even letters and allow students to spin the math out and discuss their findings.

Here are a few questions for students to explore:

(1). How likely does one get an even number?
(2). What is the probability that one gets a prime number?
(3). If I spin twice, how likely do I get a sum of 8?
(4). If I spin five times, what is the probability do I get ALL prime numbers?
(5) What is the probability does one get a vowel?
(6) If I spin twice, how likely am I going to get a difference of two?