Lesson Plan

Nickel, Quarter, and Dime

Main Subject Area: Mathematics

Duration of Lesson:  45 minutes

Keywords:

• Coins
• Money
• Probability
• Problem Solving
• Statistics

Brief Description:

Students will play a game to help them develop an appreciation for statistical methods as a powerful means for decision making.

National Standard(s):

• Number and Operations
• Data Analysis and Probability

Additional Subject Area Standard(s):

Objectives:

Students will systematically collect, organize and describe data.

They will construct, read and interpret a graph.

They will then make inferences and a convincing argument based on data analysis.

Materials (online):

Materials (offline):

A currently circulating U.S. nickel, quarter and dime for each student

Graph paper

Colored pencils

Paper

Pencils

Coins Used in Lesson:

Currently circulating U.S. nickels, quarters and dimes

Grade Level(s):   6-8  

Procedures (online):

Procedures (offline):

1. Introduce the game "Nickel, Quarter, and Dime." The rules of the game are as follow:

Each player has a nickel, a quarter and a dime. On the count of three, the player places one of the three coins on the table. A quarter wins over a dime, a dime wins over a nickel, a nickel wins over a quarter.

2. Divide the class into pairs (Player A and Player B) and have each pair play the game 18 times.

3. Instruct each pair to construct a bar graph that shows the number of wins each player had.

4. Help students determine range, mode and mean for their set of data. Compare the results as a class.

5. Have students answer the following questions to determine if the game is fair:

- How many outcomes does game have? (9)

- Make a tree diagram of the possible outcomes (a win for A, for B or a tie).

- Count the wins for A. (3)

- Find probability A will win in any round (3/9=1/3) Explain what probability means (favorable outcomes/ possible outcomes).

- Count wins for B (3) - Find probability B will win in any round (3/9) - Is game fair? Do both players have an equal probability of winning in any round? (yes)

6. Students can write a paragraph explaining why or why not the game Nickel, Quarter, Dime is a fair game.

Assessment / Evaluation:

Students can be evaluated on their answers to the questions and their paragraph explaining if the game is fair or not.

Differentiated Learning Options:

Students can create a game which is “Not Fair.” Have them describe the game and explain why the game is not fair.