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Features

  • Expected results for coins, dice and spinners with equal and unequal parts
  • Tally records to turn into counts, fractions, decimals and percentages
  • One experiment after 10, 50, 100 and 500 trials: which result is closest to what was expected, and why
  • Match four result tables to the spinners and the special die that made them
  • Use relative frequency to estimate a chance and predict the next results
  • A worked example on every page
  • Answer keys included

Skills Covered

  • Work out the expected results of a chance experiment
  • Record results and find relative frequency as a fraction, decimal and percentage
  • Compare results with what was expected
  • See results get closer to what is expected as the trials grow
  • Tell fair from unfair spinners and dice by their results
  • Use relative frequency to estimate a chance and predict

How to Use This Pack

Five pages for Years 5 and 6 on repeating chance experiments and using the results. Page 1 works out what to expect from coins, dice and spinners, some with equal parts and some without. Page 2 gives two finished tally records: children count the tallies, write each result as a fraction, a decimal and a percentage, and compare them with what was expected. Page 3 follows one experiment after 10, 50, 100 and 500 trials, so children can see the results settle towards what was expected. Page 4 matches four result tables to the spinners and the special die that made them, and page 5 uses relative frequency to estimate chances and predict the next results.

In the Classroom

Ask everyone to flip a coin 10 times and record the heads. Few will get exactly 5. Then put the whole class's results together on the board and work out the fraction of heads: it is usually much closer to one half. Talk about why more trials give a better estimate, then try page 3.

At Home

Flip a coin or roll a die together 20 times and keep a tally. Was it what you expected? Then do 20 more and add them on. Try making a spinner from a paper plate with one big part and two small ones, and guess the results before you spin.

Tips for Success

  • Expected result = number of trials × the chance of the outcome
  • Relative frequency = times it happened ÷ number of trials
  • Few trials can give results far from what was expected
  • More trials usually bring results closer to what is expected
  • A fair spinner or die gives every outcome the same chance

Chance Experiments

5th Grade

Repeated chance experiments with coins, dice and spinners, fair and unfair, and what their results say about the chances. Students work out expected results, turn tally records into relative frequencies, watch results settle as the trials grow, match results to the spinner or die that made them and predict from results.

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What’s Included

  • 5 worksheets with answer keys (10 pages)
  • Expected results and tally records
  • Results after 10, 50, 100 and 500 trials
  • Fair and unfair spinners, and predictions from results
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This worksheet is free to download, print, copy, and hand out in your classroom or at home. You do not need to create an account, and there are no watermarks on the PDF.