Lesson 1
1. Lesson 1
1.11. Explore 7
Module 2: Probability
In Try This 4 you found odds and probability statements in the media. You thought about how these statements might influence your decisions. Read “Example 5” that shows how odds can be used to make a decision about which game to play on page 146 of your textbook. Pay attention to both Madison’s solution, which uses probability, and Samara’s solution, which uses odds.
Self-Check 5
- Complete “Your Turn” on page 147 of your textbook. Answer
- Complete question 17 on page 150 of your textbook. Answer
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Blaise Pascal was not only a brilliant mathematician, but he was also a physicist and an inventor. He laid the groundwork for the study of probability. He also invented a calculating device that could do the basic arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
It is said that a gambling dispute between two players in the 1600s led Pascal to investigate probability theory. The original game consisted of throwing a pair of dice 24 times and betting money on the outcome of double sixes. Pascal was asked to calculate the chances that this would happen. He showed the gamblers that double sixes was not as likely an outcome as they had originally thought. How could he have done this?
Type “Pascal’s calculator” into your favourite search engine to see a picture of the machine and a description of how it was used.
In addition to his accomplishments, Pascal is said to have been the first person to wear a wrist watch!
Add odds to your copy of Glossary Terms.
Add the following formulas to your copy of Formula Sheet.
Or
odds in favour of A = number of outcomes for A : number of outcomes against A
