This is a level 4 probability activity from the Figure It Out theme series.
A PDF of the student activity is included.
Click on the image to enlarge it. Click again to close. Download PDF (385 KB)
use problem solving strategies to solve ordering problems
find all possible probability outcomes
describe an outcome as a fraction
For problem 1, students can use tabs labelled with the students’ names as a model to consider each clue in turn.
Question 2 involves probability. Students will first need to work out all the possible outcomes (combinations). They could use a tree diagram to do this:
Then, considering each person’s wishes:
a. Please don’t let me get peaches.
b. I hope I get orange instant pudding.
c. I’d love apricots with chocolate instant pudding.
The process of selecting puddings could be simulated by using two containers, one for the instant pudding (brown, orange, and red cubes) and one for the fruit (yellow, white, and orange cubes).
Thirty-six combinations of one pudding and one fruit could be selected and the results checked against each person’s wishes.
Answers to Activity
1. Connie
2. a. No peaches: 2/3, a 2 in 3 chance
b. Orange instant pudding: 1/3, a 1 in 3 chance
c. Apricot with chocolate instant pudding: 1/9, a 1 in 9 chance